50,000 govt employees not paid salaries in MP for over six months: State probing possible 'scam': Report

While it isn't currently clear whether the 50,000 employees are 'ghost' employees, what is clear is that the glaring irregularity has caught the eye of authorities and an investigation has begun.

50,000 supposed employees under the Madhya Pradesh government—nearly 9 per cent of its workforce—have reportedly not received their salaries, worth Rs 230 crore, for over six months, suggesting either a massive breakdown in processes or large-scale fraud.

According to a report by NDTV, which accessed documents related to the same, these 'employees' supposedly have an identity in the Madhya Pradesh government's official documents—that is, they have a name and an employee code. Yet, their salaries have not been processed for nearly six months.

While it isn't currently clear whether the 50,000 employees are 'ghost' employees, what is clear is that the glaring irregularity has caught the eye of authorities.

"The data of Regular / Non-Regular employees under IFMIS, whose salaries have not been drawn since December 2024, is enclosed... although employee codes exist, their verification is incomplete in IFMIS, and the Exit process hasn't been done either," stated a letter cited by NDTV, sent by the Commissioner of Treasury Accounts (CTA) to all Drawing and Disburising Officers (DDOs).

As per the report, over 6,000 DDOs are currently under the scanner, and have been asked to explain the apparent fraud within 15 days, the deadline for which elapsed on June 7.

At the same time, with this supposed fraud surfacing, the treasury department of the Madhya Pradesh government has launched a state-wide verification drive requiring every DDO to certify that no unauthorised employee is working in their office.

Commenting on the the irregularity, the publication further quoted a senior finance official as saying, "There could be genuine cases - transfers, suspensions... But if someone hasn't received salary for six months straight, and their exit isn't processed either, that's a red flag."

The publication further reported that the state's finance minister Jagdish Devda appeared visibly uncomfortable when quizzed about the irregularities, and quickly retreated indoors after giving ambiguous replies.

While no further details of the 'scam' are available at the moment, it is expected that ongoing investigation will peel away the layers.