Madhya Pradesh: 107 People Booked In Kundaliya Dam Compensation Scams

Agar-Malwa (Madhya Pradesh): In a shocking revelation, Lokayukta Ujjain has registered an FIR against 107 people, including nine public employees, middlemen and beneficiaries, in a corruption case involving Kundaliya irrigation project in Rajgarh and Agar-Malwa districts.

The FIR was related to an alleged Rs. 5.85 crore scam related to the compensation paid to families displaced by the dam's construction. The case centres on claims that children were fraudulently declared as adults to receive compensation.

Under the dam's rehabilitation plan, families of Bhandaavad village, Nalkheda, with men over 18 years of age and unmarried women above 18 have been granted a special rehabilitation allowance of Rs 5 lakh. This was aimed at supporting those affected by the dam's construction, ensuring they receive adequate compensation for their relocation.

During the dam's construction, residents were required to submit identification documents to prove eligibility for compensation. However, it has been revealed that some beneficiaries tampered with documents, representing their minor children as adults.

This deception was allegedly facilitated by collusion between beneficiaries and committee officials, which included representatives from Women and Child Development department, Block Education and local administration (revenue inspector, patwari, gram panchayat secretary and anganwadi workers).

The joint committee responsible for verifying documents failed to conduct thorough checks, leading to fraudulent payments. These irregularities discovered during Lokayukta’s recent investigation and a case was registered under Prevention of Corruption Act. Further probe is underway.