CEO give contracts to wife’s firm in Morena:Work incomplete on land yet full payment released; husband responds, ‘What’s wrong with that?’

Serious allegations of misuse of official position have been levelled against Devendra Jain, CEO of Porsa Janpad in Morena district. It is alleged that he set up a firm, Shri Mahalakshmi Industries, in the name of his wife, Kirti Goyal Jain, and subsequently awarded panchayat construction contracts to it. Questions are being raised over the entire process, from allocation of work to quality inspection and release of payments. During preliminary inquiries, allegations have also surfaced that funds were withdrawn in several panchayats without any work being executed. It is further claimed that panchayat secretaries who objected were pressured into silence. Despite repeated complaints, no substantial action was taken. Instead, Jain was given additional charge of Ambah Janpad, where he remained posted for nearly eight months. Complainants assert that a fair investigation into both Porsa and Ambah Janpads could reveal further irregularities. The district Collector has indicated that action will follow the outcome of an inquiry, while Jain has dismissed concerns, stating, ‘A woman can work anywhere, what is wrong with that?’ Firm registered in wife’s name, contracts allegedly awarded Devendra Jain assumed charge as CEO of Porsa Janpad in September 2022. On 18 August 2023, the firm Shri Mahalakshmi Industries was registered in the name of his wife, Kirti Goyal Jain. It is alleged that thereafter, development works within Porsa began to be awarded to this firm. Due to the influence of his position, contracts in various gram panchayats were reportedly granted to the firm without competition. This has raised concerns regarding transparency in tendering, as well as the integrity of quality inspections, given the alleged familial link between the executing agency and the supervising authority. It is further alleged that payments for such works were cleared without proper scrutiny. Ground reality contradicts official records When a Dainik Bhaskar team conducted on-ground verification of works attributed to the firm, significant discrepancies emerged between official records and actual conditions. In gram panchayats such as Kuretha, Vijaygarh, Kauthar Khurd, Rajaudha, Raipur and Dharmgarh, documents showed construction of stop dams. However, at these locations, standing mustard crops were found instead. Allegations suggest that funds were withdrawn under the pretext of constructing stop dams and mini dams by presenting the same sites under different names. The alleged irregularities, reportedly worth crores of rupees in Kuretha and Vijaygarh alone, were raised in the state assembly by Congress MLA Jaivardhan Singh. However, no satisfactory explanation was provided by the CEO. Details of works and payments 1. Gram Panchayat Rajaudha (Gram Udaybhan Ka Pura)
Work: Power block from the main road to Amar Singh’s house
First instalment: ₹2,58,735 (8 February 2024)
Second instalment: ₹1,03,000 (12 February 2024)
Total payment: ₹3,61,735
Reality: Several works remain incomplete. Only 50–60% of the work is visible on the ground, yet full payment has been released. 2. Gram Panchayat Barbai
Work: Shaheed Ramprasad Bismil power block
Payment: ₹1,47,530 (21 February 2024)
Reality: Minimal work observed. Only a few paver blocks have been laid, while most of the project remains incomplete, despite full payment being made. 3. Gram Panchayat Raipur
Work: Power block from Pradhan Mantri Road to drain
First instalment: ₹2,99,305 (2 March 2024)
Second instalment: ₹93,600 (1 June 2024)
Total payment: ₹3,92,905
Reality: Around 70% of the work has been completed, and that too with poor quality. Full payment has already been withdrawn. 4. Gram Panchayat Dharmgarh
Work: Road construction (paver block) from Pradhan Mantri Road to Ramdhyan Vyas’s house
First instalment: ₹2,97,131 (26 July 2024)
Second instalment: ₹2,93,401 (2 September 2024)
Total payment: ₹5,90,532
Reality: Only 60–70% of the work is complete. The quality is substandard, with paver blocks already showing signs of damage. Secretary raises concerns over records Ranveer Singh, secretary of Kuretha Gram Panchayat, stated that before his posting, he had been transferred to Rajaudha Panchayat, where work had already been executed through Shri Mahalakshmi Industries. He alleged that complete records were not initially provided to him. Later, upon accessing documents, it became evident that the CEO had facilitated work through his wife’s firm and ensured payment clearance. Block-level complaints and allegations of pressure Ganesh Singh Tomar, President of the Block Secretary Association of Janpad Panchayat Porsa, has levelled serious allegations. He claimed that large-scale irregularities have occurred since Jain assumed office. According to Tomar, this is the first instance where a CEO is accused of forming a firm in his spouse’s name and undertaking contractual work within his own jurisdiction. He further alleged that complaints are suppressed and those raising concerns face pressure. Despite growing dissatisfaction among villagers and panchayat officials, no action has been taken so far. CEO responds to allegations Responding to the accusations, Devendra Jain questioned the criticism, stating, ‘Can a husband and wife not work?’ When asked why his wife’s firm did not operate in other districts or janpads, he replied, ‘A woman can work anywhere, what is wrong with that? She has only done it two or four times.’ Calls for impartial investigation The allegations have raised serious concerns about governance, transparency and accountability in local administration. Complainants continue to demand an impartial inquiry, asserting that a deeper probe into Porsa and Ambah Janpads could uncover further irregularities involving public funds and misuse of authority.