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Financial audit findings have uncovered an embezzlement of over three crore rupees allocated for village development works across 46 gram panchayats in Deoria district. The audit, conducted for the financial year 2021-22 by the district audit officer, revealed that public funds were siphoned off without executing ground-level projects. Village heads, appointed administrators, and panchayat secretaries allegedly colluded to divert the funds. Officials confirmed that the misappropriated amounts will be recovered from the responsible individuals along with accrued interest.
Extensive Irregularities Uncovered Across Multiple Blocks
The audit exposed widespread misuse of development grants after verifying physical works against expenditure registers. In Gauri Bazar block, Dhanaoti recorded an irregularity of 21 lakh rupees, while Labkani logged 17.70 lakh rupees. Revli gram panchayat in Bhagalpur block reported discrepancies amounting to 2.67 lakh rupees. In Lar block, irregular expenditures were flagged in Kundoli at 6.24 lakh rupees, Pinki at 16.46 lakh rupees, Nadauli at 80,000 rupees, Kakwal at 1.37 lakh rupees, Pindi at 16 lakh rupees, Rucchapar at 6.49 lakh rupees, and Sutawar at 4.52 lakh rupees.
In Rudrapur block, Belwa Dubauli accounted for 2.24 lakh rupees, while Madanpur and Ramchak reported 6.47 lakh rupees and 75,000 rupees respectively. Tikampar in Bhatparrani block recorded 90,000 rupees in dubious spending. In Bankata block, Bakhari showed irregularities of 1.49 lakh rupees and Sirsiya Pawar reported 1.59 lakh rupees. Dohani panchayat in Bhaluani block registered unverified expenditures of 98,000 rupees.
Major Misappropriation Detected in Barhaj and Rampur Karkhana
Barhaj block recorded some of the highest financial anomalies in the district. Amma Pandey reported 4.34 lakh rupees, Ajaypura 6.79 lakh rupees, Badhya Hardo 6.31 lakh rupees, Barawan 10 lakh rupees, and Bhadila 5.56 lakh rupees. Substantial defalcations emerged in Devpar Veer Singhpur at 28 lakh rupees and Kaparwar gram panchayat at 38.89 lakh rupees. Other affected panchayats in Barhaj include Khodi with seven lakh rupees, Lakshmipur with 2.45 lakh rupees, Nadua with 65,000 rupees, Netwar with 6.69 lakh rupees, Samogar with 10.48 lakh rupees, and Sasgaon with 2.70 lakh rupees.
Salempur block registered smaller but widespread defalcations. Padari Jhillipar recorded 68,000 rupees, Gauri Thakur 64,000 rupees, Chordiha 1.84 lakh rupees, Dhanpurwa 2.62 lakh rupees, Padari Lala 65,000 rupees, Rajwal 39,000 rupees, Sohnag 67,000 rupees, and Hichaura 43,000 rupees. In Tarkulwa block, Kamdhenwa accounted for five lakh rupees, Mathiya Ratti for 10.23 lakh rupees, and Sirsiya Patti for 12 lakh rupees. Rampur Karkhana block saw large-scale diversions, including 20 lakh rupees in Karanpur Pachpheda, 16 lakh rupees in Samipatti, and 14 lakh rupees in Mehrona.
Highest Number of Lapses Documented Under Administrators
The audit established that the highest proportion of fraudulent withdrawals occurred during the tenure of appointed administrators. Large sums were disbursed under the pretext of civic construction, yet on-site inspections revealed that planned activities were never initiated. The gap between documentary claims and field execution showed systematic negligence and deliberate diversion of public funds.
District authorities have initiated proceedings to fix accountability on all involved personnel, including former village pradhans, administrative officers, and secretaries. Recovery notices are being prepared to reclaim the full siphoned amount along with statutory interest. Administrative heads stated that the primary objective is to restore public exchequer resources and establish strict financial compliance across local village bodies.
