Jalandhar Planning Board Chairman Amritpal Singh has called for a comprehensive investigation into the alleged misappropriation of Rs. 10 crore by the Block Development and Panchayat Officer (BDPO) of Phillaur. In a letter addressed to the Director of the Vigilance Bureau, Amritpal Singh detailed the alleged misuse of funds that were allocated under the Punjab Nirman Scheme.
According to Chairman, the funds were embezzled through the creation of fake bills, pointing to a well-orchestrated scheme within the BDPO office. The chairman specifically highlighted that the alleged fraud occurred during the tenure of MLA Vikramjit Chaudhry, suggesting potential collusion at various levels of governance as these funds were issued by the then Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi for the development of assembly constituencies. He also mentioned that the Planning Board has initiated review of utilisation of funds Rs. 10 crore issued to each assembly segment by the previous congresses government and vigilance probe will be recommended where descripencies will be found during the review.
Amritpal Singh’s letter emphasized the gravity of the situation, urging the Vigilance Bureau to initiate a thorough investigation into the matter. He called for meticulous scrutiny of all financial transactions and documentation related to the scheme to uncover the full extent of the misappropriation and identify those responsible.
The chairman underscored the Punjab Government's commitment to eradicating corruption, a stance strongly championed by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann. Mr. Singh stressed that the government has adopted a zero-tolerance policy towards corruption, and any individuals found guilty of such acts should face stringent legal action.
The call for a probe highlights the ongoing efforts to ensure transparency and accountability in public administration, reinforcing the need to protect public funds from misuse.