Serious allegations have emerged from Kumsi Gram Panchayat, where Panchayat Development Officer (PDO) Menaka Jadhav stands accused of illicitly transferring public funds. These transfers, allegedly made through cheques to private individuals, have ignited a fierce controversy.
Shreedhar Patil, the president of Kumsi Gram Panchayat, held a press conference in Kalaburagi on Tuesday, revealing the extent of the alleged malfeasance. He stated that the officer recently presented him with approximately 20 cheques, demanding his signature, despite the absence of supporting bills or any specific details about the work they supposedly covered.
Patil further disclosed that Ms. Jadhav resorted to threats after he voiced concerns about her alleged corrupt practices and formally complained to both the taluk executive officer and the zilla panchayat chief executive officer.
Adding a layer of political intrigue, Patil claimed that Ms. Jadhav frequently boasts about her father’s significant influence and political connections. She allegedly asserts that her father is a close associate of AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge and RDPR Minister Priyank Kharge, implying that officials are too intimidated to act against her.
In response to these grave accusations, Mr. Patil has called for the immediate suspension of Ms. Jadhav. He is also demanding a comprehensive investigation into her actions, citing concerns of “falsifying documents, making unauthorized payments, and embezzling funds specifically allocated for vital development projects” within the panchayat.
Patil believes that a thorough inquiry into Ms. Jadhav’s conduct would likely uncover even more instances of corruption. He suggested that if investigations extend to other panchayats where she has previously served, further evidence of her alleged financial misconduct would undoubtedly come to light.