As part of its ongoing anti-corruption campaign, the Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) has arrested Harjit Singh, former Sarpanch of village Kalia, and Manjit Singh, Lambardar of village Sakatra in Tarn Taran district, for misappropriating ₹20 lakh from flood relief compensation funds intended for farmers and affected individuals.
A Vigilance Bureau spokesperson disclosed that the arrests followed an investigation into a complaint by Harnand Singh, who served as Sarpanch of village Kalia until 2019.
The inquiry revealed that the accused, in collusion with bank officials, had fraudulently opened bank accounts in the names of beneficiaries, including ineligible individuals. They then withheld the account documents, allowing them to withdraw and siphon off the relief funds issued by the Punjab government.
The spokesperson further stated that the state authorities had allocated ₹30 lakh as compensation for crop damage and other losses, out of which the accused embezzled ₹20,11,475.
A case has been registered against both individuals under the Prevention of Corruption Act at the Vigilance Bureau police station, Amritsar range. They will be presented before the competent court tomorrow, while further investigations are being conducted by the Vigilance Bureau Unit, Tarn Taran.