Telangana HRC orders action over alleged Dalit Bandhu fraud in Nagarkurnool district

Metro India News | NAGARKURNOOL

The Telangana Human Rights Commission (HRC) has issued significant directions following allegations of large-scale financial irregularities in the implementation of the Dalit Bandhu scheme in Nagarkurnool district. The Commission's decision, made after reviewing a report submitted by the District Collector, is expected to have implications even for retired government officials allegedly involved in the case. The scheme, introduced by the previous state government, was meant to provide economic support to socially marginalized and financially disadvantaged Dalit families.

Under the scheme, each eligible beneficiary was to receive financial assistance of Rs 10 lakh to promote self-employment and economic empowerment. As part of a pilot project, Charakonda mandal in Nagarkurnool district was selected, and the scheme was extended to all eligible Dalit beneficiaries in the area. However, residents of the district have repeatedly alleged that more than Rs 156 crore in government funds was misappropriated during the implementation of the scheme. According to the complaints, fake invoices, forged documents and fictitious firms were allegedly used to siphon off public money.

The complaint named several officials, alleging their involvement in the creation of fake entities, submission of fraudulent bills, unauthorized payments, and misuse of government funds. The petitioners urged the Commission to direct the registration of criminal cases against the officials concerned, suspend their pension and gratuity benefits where applicable, and recover the allegedly misappropriated public funds.

After examining the District Collector's report, the Human Rights Commission stated that the matter has already been referred to the Principal Secretary of the Scheduled Castes Development Department (SCDD) for further action. The Commission recommended that departmental proceedings be initiated against those found responsible and that steps be taken to recover the financial loss suffered by the government.