New Delhi, Oct. 25 -- The Madhya Pradesh Lokayukta has launched a probe into alleged irregularities in purchases worth nearly Rs.1,134 crore by urban local bodies after a video of an IAS officer's warning went viral. The footage, from an April meeting of the Urban Administration and Development Department, showed additional chief secretary Sanjay Dubey highlighting extreme price differences for the same products bought by different civic bodies.

Reacting to the clip that spread on social media, Sanjay Dubey clarified its context. "In the Urban Administration Department, we make an effort to call officials every six months to explain our expectations, how to ensure quality in their work, and train them in new techniques. The video that ha...