Chatra: The Chatra administration has suspended all financial and administrative powers of the mukhiya of Tandwa gram panchayat following allegations that he demanded and accepted bribes from MGNREGS workers.The action came after a purported video showing mukhiya Ramkeshwar Yadav alias Kishore Yadav collecting commissions from labourers for wage payments and for facilitating digital signature certificates (DSC) went viral, prompting an inquiry by the district administration.On the directions of Chatra deputy commissioner Ravi Anand, Pratappur block development officer Abhishek Pandey investigated the allegations. The inquiry report, submitted on May 9, confirmed that money was collected from workers in the name of obtaining DSCs required for official transactions.The district administration said the actions violated Section 64(II) of the Jharkhand Panchayat Raj Act, 2001. A show-cause notice was issued to the mukhiya, but officials found his explanation unsatisfactory and unacceptable.Invoking provisions of the rural development department notification number 2374 dated July 4, 2017, Anand ordered the immediate suspension of all powers vested in the mukhiya, including financial authority.To ensure development and welfare works in Tandwa GP are not affected, the deputy mukhiya has been vested with all financial and administrative powers under Section 73(A)(II) of the Jharkhand Panchayat Raj Act, 2001, until further orders.Copies of the order have been sent to the rural development department, deputy development commissioner, subdivisional officer, district panchayati raj officer and Pratappur BDO for necessary action and compliance.Anand said Pandey has been directed to serve the order to both the mukhiya and deputy mukhiya and ensure immediate implementation.
Ramkeshwar Yadav
A grab from the video showing Yadav accepting money