Chhattisgarh Economic Offences Wing Alleges Tender Rule Violations and Misuse of Public Funds in 2006–08 Procurement

Nearly 18 years after the alleged irregularities occurred, the Economic Offences Wing (EOW), Chhattisgarh, has filed a 6,000-page chargesheet before a Special Court in connection with an alleged ₹1.69 crore procurement fraud under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS/NREGS).

The chargesheet names eight former officials, including the then Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Kanker Zila Panchayat and the former CEOs of seven Janpad Panchayats.

According to the EOW, the accused allegedly violated government procurement rules, bypassed prescribed tender procedures and misused public funds during procurements carried out in the financial years 2006–07 and 2007–08. The allegations remain under judicial consideration.

Charges Filed Under IPC and Prevention of Corruption Act

According to the investigating agency, the prosecution complaint has been filed before the Special Judge (Prevention of Corruption Act) in Kanker.

The accused have been charged under provisions of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) relating to:

• Criminal conspiracy
• Criminal breach of trust by a public servant
• Cheating

along with relevant provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.

The EOW stated that its investigation has, at the prima facie stage, found evidence suggesting alleged criminal conspiracy, corruption, cheating and misappropriation of government funds.

Procurement Process Allegedly Violated Tender Rules

According to investigators, procurement under the NREGS scheme included materials such as:

• Flex boards
• Muster roll verification sheets
• Employment guarantee guidelines
• Employment availability registers
• Worker information sheets

The EOW alleges that these materials were procured without following mandatory tender procedures and government procurement regulations.

Investigators further claim that prescribed transparency and competitive procurement norms were allegedly ignored, raising concerns regarding the utilisation of public funds.

Centralised Procurement Allegedly Introduced Without Authority

The investigation alleges that K.P. Dewangan, then CEO of Kanker Zila Panchayat, introduced a centralised procurement system at the district level.

According to the EOW, existing government rules authorised individual Janpad Panchayats and Gram Panchayats to carry out procurements independently.

The agency alleges that the centralised arrangement bypassed the statutory procurement framework and facilitated financial irregularities across multiple administrative units.

These allegations remain subject to judicial scrutiny.

Procurement Rules Allegedly Breached

According to the chargesheet, investigators found alleged violations of:

• Chhattisgarh Panchayat (Procurement of Materials and Goods) Rules
• Chhattisgarh Stores Purchase Rules
• Procurement procedures prescribed through Chhattisgarh Samvad

The EOW alleges that these departures from prescribed procedures compromised transparency, reduced competition and resulted in the alleged misuse of government funds.

Alleged Loss of ₹1.69 Crore

The EOW alleges that K.P. Dewangan conspired with the then Chief Executive Officers of the Janpad Panchayats of:

• Kanker
• Narharpur
• Charama
• Antagarh
• Koylibeda
• Bhanupratappur
• Durgkondal

According to investigators, the alleged financial irregularities total approximately ₹1,69,14,247, comprising:

• Around ₹39.90 lakh relating to Kanker Zila Panchayat.
• Approximately ₹1.29 crore involving the seven Janpad Panchayats.

The prosecution's allegations will be examined during the trial.

Eight Former Officials Named

The chargesheet names:

• K.P. Dewangan – Former CEO, Kanker Zila Panchayat
• Radhakant Kar – Former CEO, Janpad Panchayat Kanker
• Govardhan Gajballa – Former CEO, Narharpur
• Pardeshi Ram Markam – Former CEO, Charama
• Bharat Ram Netam – Former CEO, Antagarh
• Ramkishun Dhruv – Former CEO, Koylibeda
• G.R. Thakur – Former CEO, Bhanupratappur
• Sanwaldas Baghel – Former CEO, Durgkondal

The guilt or innocence of each accused will be determined by the court based on the evidence presented during the trial.

Earlier Cases Also Referenced by EOW

The EOW stated that K.P. Dewangan had previously faced two other corruption cases registered in 2009 and 2010.

According to the agency, those cases relate to allegations involving:

• Granting benefits to allegedly ineligible candidates using forged documents
• Abuse of official position
• Procurement rule violations
• Alleged misappropriation of approximately ₹8.44 crore

The EOW stated that a final report and chargesheets have already been filed before the court in those matters.

Those proceedings are separate from the present case.

Expert Highlights Importance of Procurement Audits

Former IPS officer and cybercrime expert Prof. Triveni Singh said investigations into public procurement increasingly rely on:

• Digital procurement records
• E-tender documentation
• Financial transaction analysis
• Approval files
• Electronic communications

According to him, regular audits, transparent procurement systems, digital monitoring and effective accountability mechanisms are essential for safeguarding public funds.

He added that timely investigation and prosecution contribute significantly to strengthening transparency and public confidence in public administration.

Investigation and Judicial Proceedings Continue

The chargesheet has now been placed before the Special Court, where the evidence will be examined during judicial proceedings.

The allegations remain under judicial consideration, and no findings of guilt have been made at this stage.