A startling case from Maharashtra’s Chandrapur district has raised serious questions over transparency and accountability at the Panchayat level. A man who died 12 years ago was shown as an active employee in official records, and payments were issued in his name. The irregularity came to light through information obtained under the Right to Information (RTI) Act.
Deceased Worker Listed in 2024 Panchayat Records
According to documents, Vilas Chanekar, a resident of Dhaba village who passed away in 2013, was recorded as a labourer in 2024 by the Gram Panchayat. The records state that he was employed at a village animal shelter, assigned duties such as feeding and watering livestock. Based on this entry, a payment of ₹7,200 was also shown as disbursed in his name.
What has raised serious concern is the nature of the payment documentation. The receipt reportedly lacks a valid voucher number and does not carry any signature or thumb impression. Instead, only the name “Vilas” is written in the signature column, casting doubt on the authenticity of the entire transaction process.
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Family Denies Payment, ₹80 Lakh Fund Misuse Alleged
The deceased’s son, Nitin Chanekar, has categorically denied receiving any such payment and said the family has no knowledge of the transaction. He alleged that his father’s identity was misused to fraudulently withdraw government funds.
Preliminary scrutiny of records suggests that the issue may not be limited to the ₹7,200 payment alone. Allegations have surfaced that funds amounting to nearly ₹80 lakh may have been misappropriated at the Panchayat level. The money in question was allocated under the 15th Finance Commission for development works in the village. However, it is suspected that a significant portion of these funds was siphoned off using fake entries and non-existent employees.
RTI Reveals Systemic Panchayat Financial Irregularities
Local residents and social activists have termed the case extremely serious and demanded a high-level investigation. They argue that if payments can be made in the name of a deceased person, it indicates large-scale manipulation of official records and raises the possibility of more such fraudulent entries.
Financial experts say such cases highlight gaps in administrative oversight and weaknesses in auditing systems. They stress the need for regular audits and stronger transparency mechanisms at the Panchayat level to prevent misuse of public funds.
Following the revelations, the functioning of the concerned Gram Panchayat has come under scrutiny. Villagers have alleged that there has been a long-standing lack of transparency in its operations, but concrete evidence has now brought the issue into the spotlight.
High-Level Probe Demanded Amid Public Outrage
Authorities are expected to initiate a detailed investigation into the matter. If the allegations are substantiated, strict legal action could be taken against those involved. The case once again underscores the importance of ensuring accountability and transparency in grassroots-level financial management so that public funds reach genuine beneficiaries and are not diverted through fraudulent means.
