Panchayat Scandal: Living Declared Dead in MP

In a startling incident from Madhya Pradesh's Chhatarpur district, a panchayat secretary has been suspended for erroneously issuing death certificates to three individuals who are still very much alive. The suspension came after a formal complaint was filed by the affected parties, who found themselves declared dead in government records.

The misstep has had serious implications for the complainants. As a result of their 'deaths,' two of them saw a halt in widow pension benefits, while another was denied access to Dalit welfare schemes. Locals speculate that the secretary was coerced into this act, suggesting a possibility of political revenge.

District panchayat CEO Namah Shivay Arjaria emphasized that although the investigation is ongoing, initial findings point to significant misconduct. He acknowledged the secretary's lack of computer proficiency as a potential factor contributing to this blunder. During his suspension, the official will remain attached to another office with subsistence allowance.

(With inputs from agencies.)