The Punjab Vigilance Bureau has included senior official Arun Sharma in an investigation into the alleged misappropriation of Rs 1.80 crore in government grants. The case involves suspected misuse of digital signatures to transfer funds to a private firm in 2024 for development works that remain under intense scrutiny.
Arun Sharma, a senior official within the Rural Development and Panchayat Department of Punjab, is now a focal point in an ongoing investigation by the state’s Vigilance Bureau regarding the alleged misappropriation of Rs 1.80 crore. The funds in question, drawn from the 15th Finance Commission grants, are under scanner due to irregular disbursement patterns and questions surrounding the actual delivery of goods to government projects.
Investigation into Financial Irregularities
The investigation centers on 11 unauthorized installments paid to a private tile-manufacturing firm located in Ferozepur between May 26 and June 23, 2024. During this period, Sharma was serving as the Additional Deputy Commissioner (Development) in Ferozepur. Investigators allege that these payments were processed through the misuse of digital signatures, bypassing standard authorization protocols meant to ensure transparency and project verification.
Legal Proceedings and Status
A formal case was registered on December 13, 2024, to probe the financial discrepancies within the district's development spending. While the initial investigation targeted other local officials, including the Block Development and Panchayat Officer (BDPO) and data-entry staff, the Vigilance Bureau has since expanded its scope to include Sharma. To proceed with the investigation against the senior official, the state government granted sanction under Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act.
Official Stance and Accountability
In response to the accusations, Sharma has denied any involvement in the misappropriation. He has consistently maintained that he was among the officials who originally flagged the financial irregularities, asserting that his actions were intended to expose, rather than facilitate, the financial discrepancies.
The investigation is currently examining whether the materials purchased with the funds were ever delivered or used in the intended rural development projects. This case has brought attention to the strength of internal financial controls within the department, highlighting how public funds may be vulnerable to administrative lapses. The primary focus for the authorities moving forward is to verify the project records and determine if the reported development works were completed as documented.