Uttar Pradesh suspends Hathras municipal chief's powers over tender irregularities

The Uttar Pradesh government has suspended the financial and administrative powers of Hathras Nagar Palika President Shweta Chaudhary with immediate effect. The action follows serious irregularities found in the door-to-door garbage collection tender process. The suspension was ordered under Section 48(2) of the UP Municipal Act, 1916, with the governor's approval. An inquiry committee confirmed violations including bypassing e-tender rules, opening financial bids without technical evaluation, back-dated approvals, and a payment of ₹22,45,810 despite missing documents. The District Magistrate or a designated officer of Deputy Collector rank or above will now exercise the president's powers. This action was taken after Chaudhary failed to provide satisfactory responses to a show-cause notice regarding the alleged financial misconduct.