DUMRAON MUNICIPAL COUNCIL’S CLEANING EQUIPMENT PURCHASES SPARKED CONTROVERSY

DUMRAON MUNICIPAL COUNCIL’S CLEANING EQUIPMENT PURCHASES SPARKED CONTROVERSY

21-NOV-ENG 4

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

BUXAR---------------------------A major controversy has erupted over the expenditure of crores of rupees in government funds for the purchase of cleaning equipment at Dumraon Municipal Council. A complaint alleging significant irregularities in the purchase of two compactors and 40 tipper trucks by the Municipal Council has reached the Sub-Divisional Public Grievance Office. Taking cognizance of the complaint, the official has sought a point-by-point explanation from the then Executive Officer (EO) on the entire matter.

A major controversy has erupted over the expenditure of crores of rupees in government funds for the purchase of cleaning equipment at Dumraon Municipal Council. A complaint alleging significant irregularities in the purchase of two compactors and 40 tipper trucks by the Municipal Council has reached the Sub-Divisional Public Grievance Office. Taking cognizance of the complaint, the official has sought a point-by-point explanation from the then Executive Officer (EO) on the entire matter. The controversy deepened further when it came to light that in 2013, the Municipal Council purchased a compactor at a cost of ₹6.5 million (US$1.6 million). However, due to the city's small, narrow streets, it was never put to use. The machine remained unused for years, rusting, and eventually became scrap.

Despite this bitter historical experience, in 2024, the then-EO, Manish Kumar, bypassed regulations and purchased two new compactors, costing approximately ₹16 million (US$1.6 million). It is alleged that the government treasury was defrauded by spending a significant amount on machines that had no use in the city.

40 tipper trucks purchased, remained idle for months, and their batteries were stolen. Along with the compactors, the Municipal Council also purchased 40 tipper trucks. However, these vehicles remained gathering dust in the block office premises for months. The negligence was such that batteries were stolen from several vehicles while they were idle for extended periods.

The Municipal Council itself spent over one lakh rupees to purchase new batteries, even though the vehicles hadn't even been put to actual use. Currently, some vehicles have been relocated, but more than six tipper trucks remain idle at the block office. JDU leader Dheeraj Kumar alleges that the purchases were mired in commission-seeking.

Former ward councilor and JDU leader Dheeraj Kumar has come forward to protest this alleged arbitrariness and wasteful expenditure by the Municipal Council. He has filed a complaint with the Sub-Divisional Public Grievance Committee, demanding a high-level investigation and action.

Dheeraj Kumar alleges that the then-EO, ignoring rules and regulations, made purchases worth crores of rupees solely for hefty commissions. He questioned why two new compactors were needed when the first one was already lying idle. The JDU leader says that the geographical conditions of the Municipal Council area are not conducive to compactor operation. As such, these machines were purchased not for public benefit but for personal gain, which points to a clear misuse of government funds. Public Grievance Office Requests Point-by-Point Report

Considering the seriousness of the matter, the Sub-Divisional Public Grievance Officer has asked the Municipal Council's EO to immediately provide a detailed report on the entire procurement process, tender, utility evaluation, payment details, and actual use of the vehicles. Sources indicate that after receiving the report, the Public Grievance Office may take further action, ranging from forming an investigation committee to determining fault. Municipal Council's Silence Raises Suspicion

There has been no official response from the Municipal Council administration on the matter so far. The officials' silence on incidents such as equipment purchased at a cost of crores lying idle and battery theft is raising numerous suspicions among the public.