The fake GR, dated October 3, 2024, was issued just 12 days before the Model Code of Conduct came into force ahead of the Assembly elections. It authorised infrastructure projects under budget head 2515 1238, which is allocated for providing basic amenities in villages based on recommendations by elected representatives
The March 28 circular also asked officials to remain vigilant while sanctioning works and inform higher authorities in case of doubts in GRs. Representational Pic
The Maharashtra government’s Rural Development Department has launched an investigation into a fraudulent government resolution (GR) that resulted in the approval and tendering of development works worth Rs 6.94 crore in Ahilyanagar district, located around 270 kilometres from Mumbai, an official said on Monday.
The fake GR, dated October 3, 2024, was issued just days before the Model Code of Conduct came into force on October 15 ahead of the Assembly elections.
The GR authorised infrastructure projects under budget head 2515 1238, which is allocation for providing basic amenities in villages based on the recommendations of elected representatives, reported news agency PTI.
Acting on this forged document, tenders were floated at the district level, leading to the approval of 45 development works across the talukas of Ahilyanagar, Parner, Shrigonda, and Nevasa, the official added.
"When contractors later approached for payment, officials at Mantralaya reviewed the file and found that no GR had been issued on that date. It turned out to be a case of forgery and cheating. Payment was immediately stopped and a departmental inquiry was ordered," the official said, according to news agency PTI.
"The rural development department then issued a circular on March 28 this year directing all Zilla Parishads and Superintending Engineers of the Public Works Department (PWD) to disregard the said GR and also to verify correspondence related to budget head 2515 1238 through the government's official email ID," he informed.
The March 28 circular also asked officials to remain vigilant while sanctioning works and inform higher authorities in case of doubts in GRs. It also directed them to initiate criminal proceedings if need be, he said.
The 2515 scheme of the RDD facilitates small-scale rural works such as village roads, drains, roads to cemeteries and farms (also called pandan roads), public toilets, repairs to gram panchayat offices, gymnasiums and market stalls.
"These works typically cost between Rs 5 lakh and Rs 30 lakh and are carried out through Zilla Parishads or the PWD, often based on recommendations of local MLAs. Under the scheme, works costing Rs 1500-2000 crore are undertaken annually in Maharashtra," the official said, reported PTI.
Incidentally, ahead of the enforcement of the model code of conduct for the assembly polls last year, the state government had cleared development works worth several thousand crores of rupees.
"It appears someone exploited this situation to issue a fake GR. We are yet to ascertain if such instances have taken place elsewhere as well," the official said.
(With inputs from PTI)
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