IAS Officer Nagarjuna B. Gowda Breaks Silence on Mining Fine Controversy, Rejects Allegations
The debate surrounding a drastic reduction of a mining penalty has drawn IAS officer Dr. Nagarjuna B. Gowda into the spotlight. The officer, from the 2019 batch (MP cadre) and currently serving as CEO, Khandwa Zila Panchayat, has now clarified his position, dismissing accusations and providing his account of events.
Allegations of Fine Reduction
The matter was first highlighted by RTI activist Anand Jat, who alleged that a penalty of ₹51.67 crore imposed on Path India Company for illegal gravel excavation was reduced to only ₹4,032 during Gowda’s tenure as Additional District Magistrate (ADM) in Harda. The sharp reduction has since sparked controversy and criticism across social media platforms.
Profile of Dr. Gowda
Dr. Gowda, trained as a medical doctor before joining the civil services, is widely recognized in civil service circles. Along with his wife IAS Srushti Deshmukh (2019 batch), he is popular among UPSC aspirants for his guidance, motivational talks, and active presence on social media. He has also authored books and is seen as a transparent and youth-friendly officer.
How the Case Originated
The issue stems from the Indore–Betul National Highway project, where Path India Company was accused of carrying out unauthorized excavation of around 3.11 lakh cubic meters of gravel in Andherikheda village without proper permits. Based on this, then-ADM Praveen Phoolpagar issued a notice proposing a penalty of over ₹51 crore.
However, after Phoolpagar’s transfer, Dr. Gowda assumed charge as ADM. A revised assessment later concluded that the actual excavation was only 2,688 cubic meters, which corresponded to a fine of just ₹4,032.
Activist’s Charge of Irregularities
RTI activist Anand Jat has accused the administration of shielding the company, pointing out that while official records claimed there was no photographic or video proof of the large-scale excavation, villagers reportedly possessed such evidence. He has also suggested the possibility of a “deal” behind the reduced fine and criticized the absence of further review despite public concerns.
Gowda’s Clarification
In an interview with a leading media platform, Dr. Gowda strongly denied wrongdoing. He explained that the original ADM had not levied the fine but only issued a show-cause notice. The final decision, he said, was based on hearings and official reports available after he took charge.
“The Tehsildar’s report was weak in procedure, the panchnama had no corroboration, and there was no conclusive evidence of large-scale illegal mining,” Gowda said. He further added that no appeal or challenge was filed against the order in the two years that followed, which, according to him, proves the legality of the decision.
Current Situation
The matter has triggered intense public debate online, with many questioning whether due diligence was followed in safeguarding public resources. Although no official inquiry has been ordered so far, pressure is building for a review of the case.
Dr. Gowda has stated that all his actions were within the framework of law and that he is willing to extend full cooperation if an investigation is launched.
