HC imposes cost on ward member for unverified charges against panchayat president

Cleared/350 WordsMadurai: Dismissing a plea by the ward member of Kazhukerkadai village in Sivaganga district for making unverified allegations stating that the panchayat president had misappropriated funds allotted for construction of food grains godown for the village, Madras high court imposed a cost of Rs20,000 on the ward member.The court was hearing a petition filed by P Mohamed Sherif. The petitioner stated that Rs95,550 was allotted for construction of food grains godown at Kazhukerkadai village. Though the work was not executed, the amount was allegedly misappropriated by the president. He stated that he had lodged a complaint before the DVAC. Since no action was taken, the petitioner moved court.The state submitted that Rs95,550 that was allotted for construction of the godown was directly transferred to the beneficiaries under MGNREGA scheme in July 2023 to carry out preliminary work such as cleaning the proposed area and digging of basement. An objection was raised by the petitioner to the district collector that the proposed place is classified as a road, as per the revenue records. The block development officer (BDO) has visited the place and confirmed that the proposed place is classified as a road and thereafter recommended not to proceed with the work. The allotted amount has also been remitted back to the BDO in December 2023.Justice B Pugalendhi observed that the amount allotted was remitted back to the BDO in December 2023. The petitioner had lodged a complaint before DVAC in October 2024 without even verifying as to whether the allotted amount had been remitted back or not. The petitioner is projecting as if the amount which has been allotted for construction of the godown has been misappropriated by the panchayat president without executing the work.Taking into account that the complaint has been lodged in an irresponsible manner, the judge dismissed the petition and imposed the cost. The judge directed the petitioner to pay Rs10,000 each to the panchayat president and Sivaganga district DVAC officials. The amount paid by the petitioner shall be utilized for the welfare activities of the respective departments, the judge observed.