A major financial scam has come to light in Jharkhand, where fake withdrawals of up to Rs 150 crore have reportedly been detected across seven districts, raising serious concerns over governance and financial oversight.
The matter, initially uncovered in treasury operations, has now expanded into a larger investigation involving multiple departments and audit mechanisms.
Seven Districts, Crores Withdrawn in the Name of Salaries
According to reports, the illegal withdrawals were made in the name of salary payments, with funds siphoned off through fraudulent processes
The estimated irregularities across districts include:
Hazaribagh: Rs 50–70 crore
Bokaro: Rs 30–50 crore
Ranchi: Rs 10–20 crore
Jamshedpur: Rs 5–10 crore
Deoghar: Rs 3–5 crore
Ramgarh: Rs 3–4 crore
Palamu: Rs 3–4 crore
These figures are preliminary, and officials have indicated that the final amount may be revealed only after detailed audits and investigation.
State Audit Also Under Investigation
In a significant development, the state audit system itself has come under scrutiny, as multiple layers of oversight appear to have failed to detect the irregularities on time.The scam reportedly involves treasury offices, sub-treasuries, pension offices, and audit departments, pointing toward a deep-rooted systemic lapse rather than an isolated incident.
Government’s Big Action: Transfer Policy Tightened
In response, the government has taken strict action, announcing that employees posted at the same place for over three years will be removed.Officials believe that long postings may have enabled networks to develop, allowing such irregularities to go unnoticed. The move aims to break possible internal linkages and prevent future fraud.
CID Probe Likely, Investigation Expands
Authorities have indicated that the matter may soon be handed over to CID for deeper investigation, particularly in districts like Hazaribagh and Bokaro where large-scale irregularities have been detected.An eight-member high-level committee has also been formed to examine the matter and recommend action.
System Failure or Organized Network?
Initial findings suggest that this was not a one-off fraud but a coordinated operation involving multiple officials and departments.Reports indicate that even audit and financial oversight personnel may be under suspicion, raising a critical question —
how did such large-scale withdrawals go undetected for so long?
New Controls Introduced in Ranchi
In the capital Ranchi, authorities have already tightened procedures.Now, salary payments will be processed only after verification through DDO (Drawing and Disbursing Officer) certificates, ensuring stricter checks before fund release.Officials say this step aims to prevent misuse of treasury systems and improve accountability.
The Bigger Question: Who Will Be Held Responsible?
As investigations deepen, the focus is shifting toward identifying those responsible and fixing accountability.
The scam has not only exposed financial irregularities but also highlighted serious loopholes in monitoring, auditing, and governance systems.
