Jharkhand: In a major administrative move amid allegations of illegal withdrawals and financial irregularities from government treasuries, the Jharkhand government has ordered a comprehensive audit of all 33 treasuries across the state since its formation.
Finance Minister Radhakrishna Kishore announced that the sweeping audit aims to uncover the full extent of long-standing financial discrepancies and systemic loopholes in the treasury system.
The decision comes in the wake of serious irregularities reported from Hazaribagh and Bokaro treasuries, which raised concerns over transparency and monitoring mechanisms within the state’s financial administration. The government has maintained that no leniency will be shown in corruption-related matters and strict action will be taken against those found guilty.
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The Finance Minister stated that the primary objective of the exercise is to ensure complete transparency and accountability in the financial system. He further emphasized that any misappropriated public funds will be identified and fully recovered. According to officials, the audit is essential to address long-standing structural weaknesses that may have enabled fraudulent transactions over the years.
A high-level inquiry committee has been constituted to conduct the investigation, headed by a senior IAS officer. A senior representative from the office of the Accountant General has also been included in the team to ensure financial expertise and procedural integrity. The committee will examine treasury records, payment systems, and all financial transactions across districts.
Officials noted that the irregularities are not isolated incidents but are believed to be part of systemic issues that have persisted over several years. The government has claimed that recent actions reflect its commitment to strengthening financial governance and eliminating corruption at all levels.
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Meanwhile, the matter has also reached the judiciary. A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Jharkhand High Court seeking a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED). The petitioner has alleged large-scale fraudulent withdrawals from treasuries under the guise of travel allowance (TA), dearness allowance (DA), and other payments.
The petition further claims that certain personnel were allegedly posted in violation of rules in accounts sections, enabling manipulation of financial records. It also raises concerns about irregularities linked to offices such as the Hazaribagh Superintendent of Police establishment, where employees are alleged to have handled accounting responsibilities for years against prescribed norms.
Multi-Department Network Under Scanner
Investigators have also noted that in some cases, three police personnel have been arrested for their alleged involvement in fraudulent salary and allowance withdrawals. Agencies are now working to determine whether more officials or employees were part of the wider network and how deeply the collusion extends across departments.
The state government has described the audit as a landmark step toward financial reform, stating that it will not only expose past irregularities but also help prevent future misuse of public funds. Authorities reiterated that the government follows a zero-tolerance policy toward corruption.
The Finance Minister further indicated that the investigation could lead to more significant revelations in the coming days, as deeper layers of financial mismanagement are expected to emerge. The probe is currently ongoing at multiple levels, with officials suggesting that more evidence and potentially more names may surface as the audit progresses.
About the author – Ayesha Aayat is a law student and contributor covering cybercrime, online frauds, and digital safety concerns. Her writing aims to raise awareness about evolving cyber threats and legal responses.
