The Moradabad district administration has taken stringent action in connection with large-scale irregularities in the Chief Minister’s Mass Wedding Scheme, suspending six gram panchayat secretaries from the Mundhapande block and initiating departmental proceedings against senior block-level officials. The crackdown follows a detailed inquiry that confirmed misuse of the welfare scheme, including cases where beneficiaries allegedly availed government assistance for second marriages.
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According to official orders issued at the district level, the suspended gram panchayat secretaries were found prima facie responsible for irregularities in beneficiary selection and verification under the scheme. In addition to the suspensions, the salary of the Mundhapande Block Development Officer (BDO) has been withheld, and a departmental inquiry has been ordered. The Assistant Development Officer (Social Welfare), already attached to headquarters, has also had his salary stopped pending further action.
The inquiry revealed that at least 37 couples had allegedly remarried under the scheme, violating eligibility norms. The highest number of complaints emerged from the Mundhapande and Kundarki areas. A district-level report identified 24 such cases from Mundhapande block alone, indicating systemic lapses in scrutiny and documentation at the grassroots level.
The issue first surfaced during an administrative coordination committee meeting held in mid-January, where concerns were raised over irregularities in the implementation of the mass wedding programme. Following this, the district administration constituted a special inquiry committee to examine the allegations. The matter subsequently drew attention at the state level, prompting an independent review by the social welfare department. The final inquiry report is scheduled to be submitted to the state government shortly.
Based on the findings, the district magistrate directed immediate disciplinary action against officials found responsible for lapses in verification, record-keeping and beneficiary approval. Orders were issued to the District Development Officer and District Panchayat Raj Officer to implement the suspensions. Authorities have also been instructed to extend the probe to other blocks where complaints have surfaced, suggesting that the irregularities may not be limited to Mundhapande alone.
Officials familiar with the investigation said the scheme suffered from multiple shortcomings, including inadequate verification of marital status, duplication of beneficiary records, irregularities in the supply of ceremonial materials and mismanagement during wedding events. These failures, the report noted, undermined the objectives of the welfare programme and resulted in misuse of public funds.
The administration has clarified that accountability will be fixed at multiple levels. While gram panchayat secretaries are being proceeded against at the departmental level, responsibility for supervisory lapses is also being examined. The district has formally communicated with the state government, seeking approval for further disciplinary action against senior officials involved in overseeing the scheme.
Authorities stressed that the Chief Minister’s Mass Wedding Scheme is intended to support economically weaker families by covering marriage expenses in a dignified manner. Any abuse of the programme, officials said, will be dealt with strictly to ensure transparency and restore public confidence.
The Chief Development Officer confirmed that formal suspension orders for the gram panchayat secretaries will be issued immediately, while proceedings against the BDO and the Assistant Development Officer will be taken forward at the government level. The administration has also ordered a fresh verification drive to re-examine beneficiary records across blocks.
With the inquiry widening, officials indicated that more names could surface as the investigation progresses. The district administration has reiterated its commitment to ensuring that welfare schemes reach only genuine beneficiaries and that any official found compromising the integrity of such programmes will face strict action.
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.
