Last Updated:
The attendees allegedly consumed 6 kg of cashews, 3 kg of raisins, 3 kg of almonds, 9 kg of fruits, 5 dozen bananas and 30 kg of snacks, a quantity that has raised many eyebrows.
Govind Gupta, the owner of the grocery store, denied supplying snacks. (Photo Credits: X)
A recent panchayat meeting held in Bhadwahi village, Madhya Pradesh, under the Jal Ganga Samvardhan Mission, has landed in controversy after bills amounting to Rs 85,000 for snacks, fruits, and dry fruits went viral on social media. The meeting, held on May 25, was reportedly attended by around 24 people, including the Shahdol district collector, senior officials, panchayat representatives, and villagers.
According to the bills submitted for reimbursement, the attendees reportedly consumed 6 kg of cashews, 3 kg of raisins, 3 kg of almonds, 9 kg of fruits, 5 dozen bananas and 30 kg of snacks – a quantity that has raised many eyebrows. While no one present seems to know who ate the lavish spread, the expenses have sparked public outrage, especially at a time when the state government has called for austerity and is reportedly seeking loans to meet its expenditure.
Did officials munch 12kg dry fruits, 30kg snacks at panchayat meet in Shahdol?
“I do not eat dry fruits and I didn’t eat them at the meeting either. I left early,” Shahdol district collector Kedar Singh told The Times of India, adding, “As these bills have come to my notice, I have ordered a probe by the Gopaharu Janpad Panchayat CEO. Action will be taken against those found guilty.” Singh questioned the excessive quantity, saying, “It is good if locals were served food, but how can so much dry fruit be used?”
In a further twist, Govind Gupta, the owner of the grocery store in Bharri village from where the items were supposedly purchased, denied supplying snacks. “No snacks were purchased from my store. The bills must be for other expenses,” he claimed.
District panchayat in-charge CEO Mudrika Singh, who was also present at the meeting, said: “It was dark. I could not see the dry fruits or their quantity. We are examining the bills. There were a lot of people there. Action will be taken.”
Ved Mani Mishra, CEO of Gopaharu Janpad Panchayat, has asked the panchayat convener to investigate. “An official will be visiting the village on Friday,” he confirmed.
The incident follows other questionable administrative expenses in the region, including reports of hundreds of workers being hired to paint schools using only a few litres of paint.
A team of writers at News18.com bring you stories on what’s creating the buzz on the Internet while exploring science, cricket, tech, gender, Bollywood, and culture.
A team of writers at News18.com bring you stories on what’s creating the buzz on the Internet while exploring science, cricket, tech, gender, Bollywood, and culture.
view comments
- Location :
Delhi, India, India
- First Published:
