Union minister Bandi Sanjayseeks probe into diversion of central funds

Union minister of state for home affairs Bandi Sanjay demanded a probe into alleged diversion of 15th Finance Commission grants to gram panchayats in Telangana.

Sanjay wrote to Union panchayat raj minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh and Telangana panchayat raj minister Dhanasari Seethakka, citing complaints from sarpanches.

He claimed ₹2,293 crore released under the 15th Finance Commission grants were diverted to staff salaries, electricity bills, and maintenance instead of village development.

Telangana government denied the allegations; commissioner Divya Devarajan said streetlight maintenance is a statutory duty under Section 52 of the Telangana Panchayat Raj Act, 2018.

Devarajan said tied funds are for drinking water maintenance, untied funds can be used for 29 subjects including community asset maintenance and electricity distribution.