The Punjab Rural Development and Panchayat Department has suspended 17 panchayat secretaries in Patiala district for alleged irregularities in the auction of village land during FY 2025-26.
Confirming the decision to The Tribune, the District Development and Panchayat Officer (DDPO) Mohinder Jeet Singh said the suspended panchayat secretaries failed to produce official records related to the auction of over 2,000 acres of panchayat land across 17 villages. They were also unable to furnish details regarding the rates at which these lands were auctioned and supporting documents of the auction proceedings, he added.
According to the DDPO, despite repeated notices and requests, they did not disclose the amount of revenue generated from the auctions or provide evidence showing whether the money earned from auction had been deposited in the accounts of the respective panchayats or the department. “The suspensions were ordered following an inquiry into complaints regarding violations of rules and procedures during the auction process,” said Mohinder Jeet Singh. He added that they failed to follow prescribed guidelines while conducting bids for village common land, raising concerns over transparency and fairness in the allocation of panchayat property.
The inquiry revealed that more than 100 acres of land were auctioned in each of the 17 villages (totalling 2,000 acres) without the presence and supervision of the DDPO. According to departmental rules, auctions involving over 100 acres of panchayat land must be conducted under the supervision of the DDPO, therefore, the alleged violations were treated as serious procedural lapses.
The suspended panchayat secretaries include Sukhwinder Singh Lali (Nabha); Bhupinder Singh, Sukhwinder Singh, Akashdeep Singh and Pawan Kumar (Patiala); Harvinder Singh, Rajinder Kumar, Baljinder Singh and Purninder Singh (Samana); Bhupinder Singh (Patiala Rural); Jarnail Singh, Gurpreet Singh, Dimple, Manminder Singh and Kuldeep Singh (Patran); Gurdarshan Singh (Sanaur); and Gurjeet Singh (Bhunerheri).
The DDPO prepared a report detailing the alleged irregularities and forwarded it to the Director of the Rural Development and Panchayat Department, recommending suspension and departmental action. Acting on the report, the Director ordered the suspensions.
Mohinder Jeet Singh said that this action was intended to ensure accountability and maintain transparency in the management of panchayat assets. He added that a detailed probe had also been ordered to ascertain whether any financial irregularities or misuse of authority took place during the auction process.
