Allegations of Rule Violations in Kurwai Municipal Council Over Branch In-charge Appointments

Allegations of Rule Violations in Kurwai Municipal Council

Serious questions have been raised regarding the alleged disregard for administrative rules and the appointment of in-charges for important branches within the Kurwai Municipal Council in Vidisha district. Complainants allege that a work division order issued on July 31, 2026, assigned the charge of crucial branches like Establishment, Accounts, and Stores to employees who are not eligible or properly posted according to regulations. This is reportedly in violation of directives from the Directorate of Urban Administration and Development.

Complainants have demanded the immediate cancellation of this order and action against the responsible official. The root of the matter is linked to Gita Manjhi, who assumed the temporary charge of Chief Municipal Officer at the Kurwai Municipal Council on July 8, 2026. Shortly after her assumption of duty, a work division was carried out on July 31, 2026, via order number Establishment/2026/1134-1135.

Shadow of Inquiry Over Establishment Branch Charge

According to complainants, the Establishment branch has been assigned to an employee whose regularization process is currently under investigation. This is a concern as the Establishment branch holds sensitive employee service records, inquiry-related documents, and other crucial records. Therefore, the charge of this branch should have been given to a qualified and regular employee.

Complainants further highlighted that an inquiry process is ongoing concerning the employee in question, as per the letter from the Joint Director, Urban Administration and Development, Bhopal Division (No. 981/Bhopal, dated June 6, 2025), and the letter from the Collector, Vidisha (No. 10850-10851/Vidisha, dated July 28, 2025). Assigning charge of a sensitive department like the Establishment branch to an individual facing an ongoing inquiry raises questions about the impartiality of the investigation and the security of records. Complainants have expressed apprehension that this appointment could influence the inquiry process. However, these allegations have not been independently verified.

Rule Violations in Accounts and Stores Branches Alleged

Besides the Establishment branch, objections have also been raised regarding the charge of the Accounts branch. The complaint cites order number 17062, dated August 6, 2025, from the Directorate of Urban Administration and Development. This order stipulates that the charge of the Accounts branch should only be assigned to those who have passed accounts examinations, possess the required accounting qualifications, or are senior clerks. Conversely, it is alleged that in the Kurwai Municipal Council, the work of the Accounts branch is being handled by a Class IV employee, Sagir Khan. Complainants state that such an arrangement severely questions the transparency of financial dealings and administrative accountability.

Similarly, allegations of non-compliance with directorate instructions have been made regarding the charge of the Stores branch. Order number 22172, dated July 14, 2026, directed that employees who had been working in store-related duties for three years or more should be transferred to other branches. Despite this, it is alleged that Rehan Baig, a fireman who has been managing the Stores branch for approximately eight years, has been reassigned charge of this same branch in the Kurwai Municipal Council. Complainants emphasized that a fireman's primary duty is related to fire services, and therefore, the rule assigning them the charge of the Stores branch needs to be reviewed.

Written Complaint and Proposed Action

Following the publication of news on August 5, 2026, regarding these serious allegations, a new order was reportedly issued to keep the charge of the Accounts branch with the Chief Municipal Officer. However, complainants claim that in reality, the clerical work of the Accounts branch is still being performed by the Class IV employee. Furthermore, no significant changes have been made to the in-charge appointments for the Establishment and Stores branches.

Complainants have demanded the immediate cancellation of the work division order issued on July 31, 2026. They also seek the removal of allegedly unqualified employees from the Establishment, Accounts, and Stores branches, and the assignment of charge to qualified employees in accordance with the directorate's guidelines. Additionally, a fair investigation into the entire matter has been requested so that disciplinary action can be taken against the responsible official for violating rules, as per regulations.

Full clarity on the situation will only be achieved after the official stance of the concerned authorities in this matter is presented.