Madhya Pradesh Lokayukta probes ₹1,134 crore civic procurement irregularities
The Madhya Pradesh Lokayukta has opened an investigation into alleged price anomalies in municipal purchases totaling about ₹1,134 crore after a training-session video went viral.
After a training-session clip featuring additional chief secretary Sanjay Dubey circulated online, the Madhya Pradesh Lokayukta launched a probe into municipal spending of roughly ₹1,134 crore. In the video, Dubey pointed out stark price variations for the same products—phenolic disinfectant bought for ₹5 per litre by one body versus ₹33,500 by another, and a 60-watt LED lamp priced at ₹306 in one order but ₹11,800 in Bhopam.
He warned municipal commissioners and engineers that the Urban Administration Department tracks all purchases and will act against any misuse. The review covered about 1,200 vendors across categories like garbage tipper dumpers, streetlights, octagonal poles and disinfectants, with Jabalpur identified as the top spender. The Lokayukta will scrutinise orders, invoices and vendor data, while Dubey estimated that adhering to average prices could have saved the state ₹250 crore on Government e-Marketplace transactions.
Why it matters
Misuse of public funds in municipal procurement can waste billions and erode trust in government spending.
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