Bhopal, Nov 15 (IANS) Two senior Madhya Pradesh officials have been suspended for allegedly misusing funds meant for a rural employment guarantee scheme, an official said Sunday.
An Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer and a State Administrative Service (SAS) official were suspended late Saturday for having misused National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS) funds.

The suspension orders of IAS officer K.P. Rahi and SAS officer Moolchand Verma were issued by the General Administration Department.

Rahi, who was posted as Collector Tikamgarh, violated the purchase rules and committed financial irregularities in purchasing stationery and machines from the funds meant for NREGS. Verma was the Chief Executive Officer of Tikamgarh district panchayat then.

The two officials were suspended after a letter was received by the Panchayat and Rural Development Department recommending strict action against the guilty officials.

The officials have been accused of committing irregularities in the purchase of machines and stationery worth Rs.1.27 crore (Rs.12.7 million), 894 carpets worth Rs.31.38 lakh (Rs.3.13 million) and ink and paper worth Rs.25.20 lakh (Rs.2.52 million).

The General Administration Department investigated the complaint and found that expenditure in the purchase exceeded the sanctioned limit.