#Title Bandi Sanjay demands probe into PR fund diversion in state Union Minister writes to Centre and state authorities alleging Central Finance Commission grants were misused against established rural guidelines

Hans News Service Hyderabad

UnionMinister of State for Home Affairs Bandi Sanjay Kumar stated on July 30 that numerous suspicions exist regarding the utilisation of funds released by the Central Finance Commission to village panchayats in Telangana. In an official statement, he expressed deep concern over financial irregularities and the deployment of grants in direct violation of established Finance Commission norms. He highlighted that undue administrative pressure is being exerted on Sarpanches to spend allocations contrary to Central Finance Commission guidelines. Amid these growing suspicions, Bandi Sanjay Kumar wrote to both the Central and State governments demanding a comprehensive, impartial inquiry.

Union Minister for Panchayati Raj Rajiv Ranjan Singh wrote a letter to State Panchayati Raj Minister Danasari Seethakka following the representation submitted by Bandi Sanjay Kumar. However, the very next day, Panchayati Raj and Rural Employment Commissioner Divya Devarajan issued a public statement claiming there was no factual basis to the allegations raised in the letter.

Against this backdrop, Bandi Sanjay Kumar brought complaints received from several village Sarpanches directly to the attention of both Union and State ministers. These Sarpanches alleged that widespread violations occurred during the deployment of Central Finance Commission grants and that officials routinely coerced them into spending funds against established regulatory frameworks.

Along with his representation, Bandi Sanjay Kumar submitted concrete evidence detailing specific instances where funds in certain panchayats were spent in violation of Central guidelines.

He emphasized that the Panchayati Raj system forms the core foundation of rural democracy, warning that violating fund utilisation guidelines severely impacts village development while systematically undermining the financial autonomy of local bodies.

He urged both ministers to intervene immediately, requesting a fair probe to ascertain facts based on Sarpanch complaints and submitted evidence.