Niwari Administration’s false claim to hide temple theft:Report stated, ‘MLA fund works were present on-site’; ground reality revealed nothing actually built or visible

The Niwari district administration’s attempt to conceal massive irregularities in projects carried out under the MLA Local Area Development Fund (MLA Fund) has backfired, exposing contradictions, false claims, and deliberate manipulation of official records. What was meant to be a quick whitewash has now raised serious questions over the functioning of the local bureaucracy and the accountability of elected representatives. A detailed investigation by Dainik Bhaskar has revealed that multiple development projects, allegedly executed under the MLA fund in Niwari constituency, either do not exist on the ground or have been falsely documented as completed. From non-existent bus stops to private walls shown as public property, the administrative machinery appears to have gone to extraordinary lengths to cover up the discrepancies. MLA fund projects exist only on paper On October 26, Dainik Bhaskar Digital platform Bhaskar English published a detailed report titled “Incomplete construction of Badi Mata temple in Niwari sparks anger: MLA shows community hall, bus stop complete; Bhaskar investigation reveals nothing on site”.
The report showed that several works claimed to have been completed through MLA Anil Jain’s fund were not visible at their supposed locations. Despite being shown as “finished” on paper, many of these projects had no physical existence whatsoever. The revelation prompted the Niwari district administration to act swiftly. Within just two days—on October 28—the administration formed an inquiry committee and released its findings. The report concluded that “all MLA-funded works were present at the site and funds were utilized appropriately.” However, the reasoning offered in the report raised more suspicion than clarity. It appeared as though the officials were attempting to justify pre-decided conclusions, using poorly constructed arguments and unverifiable claims. In some cases, projects were shown in different villages, while in others, private property was described as public development work. Local activists and complainants have now demanded accountability, claiming that the report is “nothing but an attempt to shield corruption.” What the administration’s report claimed According to the press note issued by the Niwari district administration on October 28, a two-member committee was constituted comprising Tehsildar Jagdish Randhawa and Assistant Engineer Ram Milan Patel from Janpad Panchayat Prithvipur. The committee visited three major project sites and submitted its observations: On paper, this report looked satisfactory. But Bhaskar’s ground investigation told a very different story. Reality check: Ground investigation exposes falsehoods When Dainik Bhaskar’s team visited the sites mentioned in the administrative report, shocking discrepancies came to light. Each of the projects claimed to be “completed” turned out to be either missing, misrepresented, or falsely reported. 1. The missing bus stop that “exists” in another village According to official documents from the Planning and Statistics Department, Niwari MLA Anil Jain’s fund had sanctioned ₹3,06,327 in 2019 for constructing a steel passenger shelter (bus stop) at Tehrka Gram Panchayat, located at Jikhangaon–Astari Road (Khasra Nos. 1843/1844). When Bhaskar’s team reached the site, there was no bus stop to be found. Villagers confirmed that such a structure had never been built in their area. Yet, the administration’s report confidently stated that the bus stop “was found on-site.” The truth emerged when records showed that the bus stop being referenced by the administration actually existed in Jikhangaon Panchayat, not Tehrka — and it had been constructed two years later, in 2020–21 (Khasra No. 22/2). In simple terms, officials used a project from a different Panchayat and different financial year to justify Tehrka’s missing bus stop, effectively fabricating evidence to close the inquiry. Former Sarpanch confirms forgery Former Sarpanch of Tehrka Gram Panchayat, Geeta Ahirwar, has openly accused officials of fraud and forgery: “In 2019, records showed that a bus stop had been built in my village. My fake signature was used to show completion. In reality, no such structure exists. I even complained to the police, but there has been no action so far,” she said. Her testimony corroborates Bhaskar’s findings and further weakens the credibility of the administration’s report
2. The “boundary wall” that belongs to a BJP worker The administration also claimed that a boundary wall had been constructed around the community building near Gond Baba Temple in Ramgarh Churara village. However, when the site was inspected, it was found that the temple is open from three sides. The only wall in the vicinity belongs to a private house owned by BJP worker Sunil Kumar Ahirwar. This wall, roughly 40 feet long, forms part of Ahirwar’s residence and compound. Despite this, the administration recorded it as a “community building boundary wall” in official reports. Such blatant misrepresentation of private property as public infrastructure raises serious concerns about the misuse of government funds and the complicity of administrative officials in political corruption. 3. The mystery of “unspent” funds at Taricharkalan At Taricharkalan village, near Mata Temple, the proposed community building has not even been initiated. The administration, while acknowledging this, claimed that no money was spent on the project. But this claim doesn’t hold up to scrutiny. Social activists Pramod Kewat and Tilak Raj Ahirwar, who exposed the issue, pointed out that the project appears in the Planning and Statistics Department’s official list of completed MLA-funded works, along with a stated expenditure. They questioned: “If the project never started, why does it appear in the records as completed with funds spent? If it was cancelled, where is the official order? Officials keep saying the money is ‘safe,’ but there is no proof of that anywhere.” This inconsistency hints at possible misappropriation or diversion of funds under the guise of incomplete works. Misuse of MLA discretionary grants: Aid for the powerful Apart from MLA fund irregularities, Dainik Bhaskar also investigated the MLA Discretionary Fund (Swachchhand Nidhi), which is meant to provide emergency assistance to the poor and needy.
Shockingly, records show that this fund was distributed among politically connected individuals, government employees, and financially stable persons, violating every guideline of eligibility. According to state regulations, government employees, pensioners, and affluent persons cannot receive discretionary assistance. Yet, the following beneficiaries were listed: Each case demonstrates how a welfare scheme intended for the poor was used as a political favor fund. MLA Anil Jain’s response: “It’s my right” When MLA Anil Jain was confronted with questions regarding the irregularities and misuse of funds, he initially refused to respond. Later, he issued a written reply stating that allocating the discretionary fund was “his right.” He did not, however, address the allegations of fund diversion, false documentation, or administrative collusion. Mounting pressure for a fresh probe Following the revelations, public outrage in Niwari has grown rapidly. Local residents, activists, and former panchayat officials are demanding an independent, high-level investigation into both the MLA fund and discretionary grant misuse. Social activist Pramod Kewat stated: The administration’s report is a joke. They think people will not verify the facts. Every lie has been exposed, and the people deserve accountability for how their money was looted. Another activist, Tilak Raj Ahirwar, added: If such fraud can be brushed aside with a two-day report, then the entire purpose of the MLA fund system stands defeated.