Bhopal: Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Rameshwar Sharma has hit back at the Congress over alleged financial irregularities in procurement by urban local bodies across Madhya Pradesh, asserting that the state government initiated action on its own rather than in response to an opposition complaint.
Sharma said the Urban Development and Housing Department had examined purchase records from the Madhya Pradesh e-Nagar Palika portal and the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) portal before initiating action against officials and employees allegedly involved in irregularities.
Defending the government’s response under Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, the MLA said strict action would be taken against those found responsible, irrespective of their political affiliations.
His remarks come amid a political dispute over discrepancies in municipal procurement and the state government’s action against officials.
Sharma Says Government Initiated Action on Its Own
Responding to the Congress’s criticism, Sharma questioned whether the opposition party had submitted a formal written complaint regarding the alleged irregularities.
He maintained that the department’s Additional Chief Secretary had taken suo motu cognisance of the matter and initiated scrutiny of procurement data available on the two portals.
According to Sharma, the examination of these records led to action against hundreds of municipal officials and employees.
He accused the Congress of limiting itself to allegations instead of acknowledging the action already initiated by the government.
BJP MLA Promises Strict Action Against Those Found Guilty
Sharma said the Mohan Yadav-led government was following a zero-tolerance approach towards corruption.
He asserted that officials found responsible for irregularities would face action regardless of whom they supported or their political connections.
The MLA said the department had issued notices to officials, while directions had also been given for recovery of financial losses and termination of employees where warranted.
He further stated that the Lokayukta had taken suo motu cognisance of the matter and initiated an investigation.
392 Officials Identified in Procurement Irregularities
The controversy follows the Madhya Pradesh government’s scrutiny of procurement by urban local bodies, where differences in prices paid for similar goods have raised questions about financial oversight.
According to Additional Chief Secretary for Urban Development and Housing Sanjay Dubey (IAS: 1993: MP), action had been initiated against 392 officials and employees, including 135 Chief Municipal Officers (CMOs), by October 25, 2026.
- The measures reported by the department include:
- Dismissals: Seven officials had been dismissed from service.
- Financial recovery: Recovery proceedings had been initiated against officials and employees in cases involving irregular payments.
- Salary increments: Increments had been withheld in some cases.
- Demotions: Some officials had been demoted.
- Contractors and suppliers: Action had also been initiated against more than 80 contractors and suppliers.
The department has attributed the scrutiny to an analysis of procurement data from the e-Nagar Palika and GeM portals, which helped identify substantial price variations for similar items purchased by different urban local bodies.
Sharma Takes a Dig at Congress President Jitu Patwari
Sharma also targeted Madhya Pradesh Congress president Jitu Patwari over his criticism of the state government.
Using a metaphor involving an empty bucket, the BJP MLA said Patwari should focus on addressing issues within his own party rather than directing his criticism at the government.
The exchange adds to the political confrontation surrounding the procurement issue, which has drawn attention to the functioning of urban local bodies and the monitoring of public expenditure.
Government Scrutiny of Municipal Purchases Continues
The Madhya Pradesh Urban Development and Housing Department has been examining procurement transactions to identify discrepancies in the prices paid by different municipal bodies.
The scrutiny has included purchases made through the GeM portal, with digital records from the state e-Nagar Palika system also used to examine transactions.
The department has said action is continuing against officials and other parties where irregularities have been identified.
Sharma, meanwhile, maintained that the government would not spare anyone found responsible and defended the administration’s decision to initiate action after examining the available data.
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