₹40 Crore Rainfall Relief Scam Rocks Jalna
• Fake Farmers, Real Fraud: Massive Jalna Payout Scam
• 17 Talathis Suspended in Rain Relief Scam
Unmesh Gujarathi
Sprouts News Exclusive
Contact: +91 9322755098
A ₹40 crore subsidy scam has rocked Jalna district, with fake farmers and duplicate entries used to siphon off state aid meant for heavy rainfall victims. Seventeen talathis and five tehsil clerks have been suspended. The Sprouts News Investigation Team (SIT) reveals systemic fraud, with criminal charges likely to follow.
₹40 Crore Rainfall Subsidy Scam Rocks Jalna: 17 Talathis Suspended, More Under Probe
A massive ₹40 crore subsidy scam linked to heavy rainfall compensation has shaken Jalna district, exposing deep-rooted corruption in the revenue machinery. The scam involves manipulation of records to show fake beneficiaries, repeat payments under a single farmer’s name, and disbursal of funds to individuals with no agricultural land. Following detailed inquiries, Jalna Collector Dr. Shrikrishna Nath Panchal has ordered the suspension of 7 more talathis and 5 tehsil clerks.
This brings the total number of suspended talathis to 17, with five tehsil staffers already facing action. Additionally, disciplinary inquiries have been proposed against 35 more talathis. Five tehsildars and naib tehsildars have also come under the scanner, with explanations sought from them. The scam is likely to escalate, with possible criminal charges under review by the state government.
Also Read: Dayanidhi Alleges ₹6,000 Cr Scam in Sun TV Share Feud.
Rainfall Relief Scam: Fake Farmers, Duplicate Subsidies, and Stolen Logins Exposed
The Sprouts News Investigation Team (SIT) accessed portions of the internal report submitted to the Jalna Collectorate. It reveals that from 2022 to 2024, multiple bogus entries were created to claim rainfall subsidies—some in the names of fake farmers, others duplicated under the same name. In several cases, beneficiaries had no registered landholdings at all, but still received state aid meant for genuine losses.
Further investigation found that talathis, gram sevaks, and agriculture assistants had allegedly misused official login credentials of tehsildars to process fake claims. This malpractice was particularly rampant in Ambad and Ghansawangi tehsils. An eight-member committee was constituted to conduct the inquiry, which unearthed digital irregularities and systemic collusion.
SIT Report Signals Institutional Failure, Criminal Action Likely
According to SIT findings and the district inquiry report, both former and currently serving tehsildars were aware or complicit in the irregularities. The misuse of tehsil-level authority and login credentials suggests a high-level breakdown of administrative checks.
In response, Jalna District Collector Dr. Panchal has sent detailed action proposals to the state government. Sources indicate that criminal cases under IPC and Prevention of Corruption Act may soon be filed against key accused. The Sprouts News Investigation Team (SIT) continues to track this high-stakes fraud, which has far-reaching implications for rural welfare and governance accountability in Maharashtra.
