Punjab: CDPO in Amritsar suspended over alleged misreporting of anganwadi centres; sparks controversy
PTC Web Desk: In a significant development from Amritsar, Punjab, the Child Development Project Officer (CDPO) of Rayya, Bikramjit Singh, has been suspended on charges of allegedly encouraging his colleagues to prepare inaccurate reports regarding anganwadi centres. This suspension comes shortly after Singh raised concerns about "substandard rations" being supplied to these centres by a private firm.
Senior Congress leader and area MLA Sukhpal Khaira has taken to social media to express his disapproval of the suspension. Khaira posted, “I am saddened by the suspension of an efficient officer like Bikramjit Singh, the CDPO of Rayya, Amritsar, who has been suspended for raising the issue of poor-quality rations supplied by a private firm to the nganwadi centres.”
I’m saddened that a good officer like Bikramjit Singh who is posted as CDPO Rayya Amritsar has been suspended from bringing to his department the issue of sub standard ration being supplied to his Anganwadi Centers by a private firm who has been outsourced supply of ration!
The… pic.twitter.com/4sgLH4emAJ — Sukhpal Singh Khaira (@SukhpalKhaira) July 29, 2024
Khaira's post also included a video of Bikramjit Singh. In the video, Singh elaborated on his allegations that the rations supplied to the anganwadi centres were infested with fungus. He said, “This is poison. If pregnant women and children consume this, it will be lethal. Such fungus grows on wood during the rainy season, and if ingested, it can be fatal.”
According to CDPO Bikramjit Singh, he had written two letters to the department regarding the issue. Following his complaint, he allegedly received a threatening phone call from the private firm. Despite assurances that the ration would be replaced, Singh's suspension letter was issued within two hours of the call. The letter was signed by Special Chief Secretary Raji P. Shrivastava, who cited Singh's alleged encouragement of colleagues to report false information during the inspection of anganwadi centres as the reason for his suspension.
The department’s suspension letter, signed by Srivastava, accused Singh of violating civil service rules by instructing his colleagues to generate false reports. Consequently, Singh has been suspended and directed to remain at the Chandigarh headquarters during his suspension.
- With inputs from our correspondent
