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NDTV
7 hours ago
- NDTV
NDTV Impact: Ghost Employee Alert Triggers Statewide Audit in Madhya Pradesh
Bhopal: After an explosive report by NDTV on the possibility of thousands of "ghost employees" in Madhya Pradesh, based on a letter from the state treasury, the government has finally responded with an extensive data cleansing drive. The letter from the state treasury, dated May 23, raised alarm over thousands of government employees who had not drawn salaries from the official IFMIS (Integrated Financial Management Information System) since December 2024. Yet, the portal still has active employee codes. In response, the State Financial Intelligence Cell (SFIC)-under the Commissioner of Treasury and Accounts (CTA)-conducted an extensive audit of the treasury database in coordination with DDOs (Drawing and Disbursing Officers) and treasury officers across the state. The exercise aimed to identify inactive employees and update the IFMIS system accordingly. The government now claims that no fake or suspicious employee has been found so far, but the details revealed by the cleansing drive paint a more complex and worrying picture. As per the report, a total of 44,918 employees - 36,081 regular and 8,837 non-regular - have not withdrawn salaries via IFMIS in more than six months. When broken down by status, the numbers reveal this: Out of the 44,918 employees, 21,461 were found to be dead (19,533 regular and 1,928 non-regular), while 4,654 employees were on deputation (4,436 regular and 178 non-regular). Another 10,985 had either retired, resigned, opted for voluntary retirement, or had their services terminated. 483 were suspended without salary, and 1,656 employees had their salaries withheld due to official government directives. In addition, 2,342 were placed in the 'Free Pool', meaning they were unassigned after transfers or status changes. Technical issues accounted for 1,022 employees, and 2,247 employees were linked to miscellaneous cases, including bonded doctors, grant-in-aid institutions, or PRI contractual staff. Despite these seemingly legitimate classifications, none of the employee codes were deactivated, and exit procedures had not been completed in IFMIS. This means these accounts remain active in the system, vulnerable to misuse, and - if left unchecked - could be exploited for unauthorised or backdated salary withdrawals. NDTV's Earlier Report Raised Alarm Bells NDTV had earlier exposed how nearly 50,000 government employees were "missing" from the salary grid, despite their codes being active. The report, based on the same May 23 memo, suggested that the situation could escalate into one of the biggest ghost employee scandals in the state's history. The value of unpaid salaries linked to these ghost-like entries was estimated to be around Rs 230 crore. When NDTV confronted Finance Minister Jagdish Devda, his response was evasive: "Whatever process is followed, it is done according to rules." When asked if such a situation posed a risk to the system, he simply repeated, "Whatever happens, will be according to rules... okay... fine," before abruptly ending the conversation. Although the government has denied the existence of any fraudulent employees, the very architecture of the payroll system has been exposed as vulnerable. Codes remain active despite death, resignation, retirement, suspension, or deputation. Without proper flagging or exit entries, these dormant identities could be reactivated with malicious intent. The government says this is part of a continuous cleansing process that will pave the way for a more robust IFMIS NextGen rollout. But One Question Remains - While the system may not have found its ghost just yet, the shadow of systemic failure still hangs heavy over Madhya Pradesh's treasury, and NDTV will keep reporting until every name, every code, and every rupee is accounted for.
Time of India
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Operation Sindoor: BJP defends MP deputy CM as a row erupts over his remarks
MP deputy CM Jagdish Devda BHOPAL: Even as BJP is battling the crisis triggered by Madhya Pradesh minister Vijay Shah's comments on Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, a fresh controversy erupted Friday over a statement by deputy CM Jagdish Devda. Thanking PM Narendra Modi while lauding the military's courage in Op Sindoor, Devda said at a training programme for civil defence volunteers in Jabalpur Friday: 'Yashaswi Pradhan Mantriji ko hum dhanyawad dena chahenge. Aur poora desh, desh ki woh sena, woh sainik, unke charno mein natmastak hain. Unke charno mein poora desh natmastak hain. Unhone jo jawab diya hai, uski jitni sarahna ki jaye, jitni kaha jaye utna kam hai.' The dispute is over Devda using the words 'unke charno mein'. While Congress claimed Devda meant the 'PM's feet', BJP said he meant the Army's feet. BJP, which is on a defensive after Shah's remark, stoutly defended Devda, with IT cell chief Amit Malviya alleging that Congress is targeting the deputy CM because he is a Dalit. 'Congress is unable to accept that a Dalit leader holds such a prominent position,' he said. 'Deliberately distorting Devda ji's statement is an attempt to create sensation and an atmosphere of lies,' Malviya tweeted. Devda warned of legal action, saying: 'My speech is being presented in a wrong and distorted manner, which is absolutely improper. I said that the courage shown by the Army in conducting Operation Sindoor against terrorists cannot be praised enough. The entire country and the people of the country bow at their feet and salute them. I too salute them.' Devda defended himself by saying: 'What I meant was people of the country salute brave soldiers of the Army. My statement is being circulated in the wrong manner. I have not given any such statement for which an apology is required nor have I hurt anyone's feelings.' Sack Devda & Vijay Shah, demands Congress Slamming MP deputy CM Jagdish Devda for allegedly saying that defence forces and its soldiers are at PM Modi's feet and state minister Vijay Shah for his comments about Colonel Qureshi, Congress Friday said the BJP netas should be sacked from state govt without delay, else their utterances would be seen as having the approval of Modi and the BJP brass. Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate said comments from BJP politicians are tantamount to sedition but BJP is going all out to protect them, and the MP CM has already ruled out action against Shah. She asked how could Devda say 'defence forces are at the PM's feet' when they are responsible for maintaining peace, and when the country is full of respect for the way they stunned Pakistan in the recent face-off. 'These words are like committing a sin and BJP is doing it time and again,' Shrinate told reporters. 'An apology or regret will not work this time. Devda has to be sacked. BJP cannot be a bystander this time.'
United News of India
16-05-2025
- Politics
- United News of India
Cong demands dismissal of Madhya Pradesh Dy CM Devda, Minister Shah for insulting army
New Delhi, May 16 (UNI) The Congress on Friday demanded the immediate dismissal of two Madhya Pradesh BJP ministers — Deputy Chief Minister Jagdish Devda and state Minister Vijay Shah — accusing them of making remarks that insult the Indian army and the brave soldiers who protect the nation. Addressing a press conference here, party spokesperson Supriya Shrinate said, 'Jagdish Devda and Vijay Shah have made remarks that insult the Indian Army and soldiers, and both ministers must be removed from their positions immediately'. She said, 'Every citizen in the country holds deep respect for our army, and the entire nation is thankful because it is the army that ensures our safety. The Deputy CM of Madhya Pradesh harbours such ill-will and disgraceful views toward the armed forces that he has no moral right to remain in office'. 'This time, a mere apology won't suffice. The BJP cannot remain silent, and Prime Minister Modi cannot avoid accountability. If Jagdish Devda is not dismissed within the next few hours, it will be seen as a sign that Narendra Modi is encouraging such disrespect toward the army and that he supports and endorses these views—because without such backing, no one would dare to make such statements,' the Congress leader said. The spokesperson said, 'Not even 48 hours have passed since Minister Vijay Shah made disgusting remarks about Col Sofia Qureshi, the most promising and brave daughter of the country. In this entire case, the BJP did not take any action against its Minister Vijay Shah. The BJP governments of Madhya Pradesh and the Centre remained silent until the MP High Court ordered an FIR to be lodged.' The Madhya Pradesh Deputy CM Jagdish Devda has stirred a political storm with his recent comments. Speaking at a civil defence volunteers' training programme in Jabalpur, Devda, while praising PM Modi for his response to the Pahalgam terror attack, said: "Not just the country, but the entire military is also bowing at Modi's feet for his strong stance against terrorism." Earlier, the Congress on its social media handle X said, 'The statement made by Jagdish Devda, Deputy Chief Minister of the BJP government of Madhya Pradesh is very cheap and shameful'. 'This is an insult to the valour and courage of the army. While the entire nation stands in honour of our soldiers, BJP leaders are revealing their petty mentality towards our brave warriors," the Congress said. 'BJP and Jagdish Devda should apologise. He should be removed from his post,' the Congress said. UNI RBE RN
India Today
16-05-2025
- Politics
- India Today
Congress demands BJP's Jagdish Devda dismissal over insulting remarks on Army
The Congress on Friday accused the BJP of "insulting the Army" after Madhya Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Jagdish Devda allegedly made objectionable comments on the forces and demanded his at an event, Devda allegedly said, "Hum yashasvi pradhan mantri ji ko dhanyabad dena chahenge. Aur pura desh, desh ki woh sena, woh sainik, unke charno mein nat mastak hain. (We would like to thank the prime minister. The entire country, the country's army and soldiers... bow at the feet...")advertisementThe remarks came days after Madhya Pradesh minister Vijay Shah came under fire for his alleged objectionable remarks on Colonel Sofiya Qureshi, who was a prominent face of the armed forces during media briefings on Operation Sindoor along with Wing Commander Vyomika general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said, "The constant insult of our army by BJP leaders is extremely shameful and unfortunate. First a minister of Madhya Pradesh made an indecent comment on women soldiers and now their Deputy Chief Minister has grossly insulted the army."The people of the entire country are proud of the valour of the army but the BJP people are "insulting" the army and instead of taking action against these leaders, the BJP is trying its best to save them, she alleged."What message does BJP want to give to our army and people of the country by doing this?" she a press conference here, Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate played a video of Devda's remarks and asked whether anyone can imagine any Indian ever saying something as "blasphemous and brazenly shameless" as that."The Deputy Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, Jagdish Devda, says that the entire Indian Army and brave soldiers are bowing at the feet of Narendra Modi," she claimed."The entire country is grateful for what our armed forces have done. They have consistently taught a lesson to our enemies. Our armed forces have divided Pakistan into two. We have always given a befitting reply in 1965, 1971, 1999, and even after the Pahalgam terror strike. Our armed forces brought Pakistan to its knees by consistently destroying terrorist camps in Pakistan," she a statement is a brazen violation of what this country feels for our armed forces, which is absolute respect, Shrinate said."We honour their valour, their supreme sacrifice, and our heads bow as far as our armed forces are concerned. They don't just protect our borders but also protect our territorial integrity. They are the ones because of whom our people live safely and work the way we do. They guard us from the glaciers of Siachen to the deserts of Rajasthan. Such a statement is an insult that no Indian is willing to take," she will not take this statement lying down, and we demand that PM Modi immediately sack the Deputy Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh, Jagdish Devda, for the brazen remark he has made. If he fails to do so, we will be forced to believe that this was said with his permission and has his patronage," she another minister from Madhya Pradesh, insulted one of India's most decorated soldiers, Col Qureshi, and yet the BJP neither questioned him nor took any action, she alleged."Both the Delhi and Madhya Pradesh governments remained mute spectators until the Jabalpur High Court ordered an FIR to be filed - an FIR that has since been reduced to a mockery. The High Court has taken strong cognisance of the matter, clearly stating that the charges listed in the FIR would not stand the test of law and has directed that the FIR be amended without fear or favour," Shrinate is the reality of how the BJP treats our armed forces and soldiers - those who display valour, courage, and make the ultimate sacrifice, she BJP had absolutely no role in the freedom movement and made no sacrifices," Shrinate said."Modi ji once claimed that a corporate or a trader in India is braver than Indian soldiers. Forget avenging the supreme sacrifice of our 20 bravehearts in Galwan — we have continued doing business with China. Our trade deficit with China now stands at 100 billion dollars," she Congress on Wednesday had asked why Modi has not yet sacked Shah for his objectionable remarks on Col Qureshi and said the "atrocious" comments reflect the BJP's "diseased mindset".The opposition party slammed the BJP after a video went viral in which Shah is purportedly heard making objectionable remarks, saying, "'Jinhone humari betiyon ke sindoor ujade the humne unhiki behen bhej kar ke unki aisi ki taisi karwayi (those who wiped sindoor (vermilion) off our daughters' forehead... we sent their sister to teach them a lesson)'."
New Indian Express
16-05-2025
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Madhya Pradesh deputy CM sparks controversy saying, 'whole country, army bowing at PM's feet'
BHOPAL: The controversy triggered by Madhya Pradesh Cabinet Minister Vijay Shah's recent remarks on Colonel Sofiya Qureshi is yet to settle down when another controversy has erupted this time, by a contentious statement made by deputy chief minister Jagdish Devda. While addressing a training programme of civil defense volunteers in Jabalpur on Friday, Jagdish Devda reportedly said, "The whole country, the country's army and soldiers bow down at the feet of Prime Minister Narendra Modi." His remarks, made in the context of India's retaliatory Operation Sindoor following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people, have drawn accusations of insulting the armed forces. Referring to the national outrage over the attack on tourists and praising India's military response, Devda added that the nation was "unanimous on avenging the terror attack" and expressed gratitude towards the Prime Minister and the armed forces. The opposition Congress accused Jagdish Devda of insulting the valour and courage of the Indian Armed Forces. The Congress, led by Supriya Shrinate, chairperson of its digital and social media platform, condemned the statement as 'cheap and shameful', accusing Devda of undermining the bravery and independence of the Indian Armed Forces. The party released a 45-second clip of the speech on its official 'X' (formerly Twitter) handle, demanding Devda's immediate dismissal and an apology from the BJP.
