Six civic employees of Palanpur booked for Rs 28 lakh embezzlement

Palanpur, May 16 (UNI) Three former chief officers and three employees of Palanpur Municipal Corporation have been booked for allegedly embezzling Rs 28,91,911.

The newly posted chief officer Ketan Vanani, in his complaint yesterday said six employees including three former chief officers - P L Jadhav (during April 1, 2002 to April 19, 2002), V D Sukhadiya (April 20, 2002 to June 1, 2002) and Hresh Brahmbhatt (June 1, 2002 to March 31, 2003) - had misused their offices and pocketed more than Rs 20 lakh by submitting bogus vouchers.

The police complaint was registered after a 2002-2003 audit report found them guilty, said Resident Deputy Collector J S Prajapati.

Former President of Municipal Employees Union Mahesh Brahmbhatt blamed the 'use and throw' policy of the politicians as the root cause of such financial malpractices. He said ''Politicians too are responsible and should be held accountable.'' Meanwhile, the employees whose name figured in the report are absconding.

Earlier, a former chief officer, who had been transferred to Adipur in Kutch, had also unearthed a scandal involving huge amount.

The Palanpur civic body is reeling under heavy debt amounting to millions of rupees due to such problems. Employees salary has been unpaid for the past 17 months.

Dy Superintendent of Police P M Chhpiya and Police Inspector V B Patel are investigating the matter.

UNI