Korba. During his tenure as Collector in various districts of Chhattisgarh, IAS officer Sanjeev Jha has often faced controversy and allegations of misuse of public funds. From Sarguja to Bilaspur, Jha has overseen significant projects aimed at community welfare. However, in Korba, his initiatives, especially in the Women and Child Development Department (WCD), have raised eyebrows. Jha was assigned to Korba after Ranu Sahu, whose term is now under scrutiny for irregularities. It would be safe to say that both the officers collaborated in painting pictures of development while focusing on their personal treasuries.
One notable project, the establishment of “Smart Anganwadi Centers,” was aimed at enhancing child education and nutrition. This ambitious project involved constructing 3,857 centers at an approximate cost of Rs. 44.81 crore. Each center was equipped with essential amenities, but reports indicate that many facilities, including water purification systems, remained unused due to electricity issues.
Another major initiative was the provision of nutritional assistance to 21,482 pregnant women and infants, with each beneficiary receiving Rs. 7,254. Despite this, allegations surfaced that contractor Ganpati Enterprises of Ambikapur monopolized this scheme, diverting public funds with little real impact.
Similarly, for clean drinking water at Anganwadi Centers, Rs. 2.99 crore was allocated. Shiv Shakti Traders received payments to install systems, yet reports indicate poor implementation. This trend of inflated budgets and negligible on-ground improvements continued with the “Chief Minister’s Nutrition Campaign,” which cost around Rs. 1.97 crore but had limited visible outcomes.
There was also a conspicuous presence of traders from Ambikapur in Korba, leading to speculations about Jha’s connections. Allegedly, these traders secured major contracts with relaxed oversight, including purchasing furniture, modular racks, and cookware for Anganwadi Centers.
Under Jha’s supervision, key officials, including District Program Officer Anand Prakash Kispotta, allegedly played significant roles in supporting contractors, despite a formal letter from WCD Director Divya Umesh Mishra demanding rectification of irregularities. This letter was reportedly ignored, sparking concerns over seniority clashes and lack of accountability.
As new revelations emerge about the use of District Mineral Foundation (DMF) funds during Jha’s and Sahu’s tenures, questions continue about how public funds were handled. Further insights into these transactions, including those involving CCTV installations and other projects, are expected in upcoming reports.
