Rs 27 lakh fraudently withdrawn Vigilance on trail to crack case
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, June 12 2014:
A sum of Rs 27 lakh kept in the joint bank account of Thoubal Zilla Parishad Chairperson and the Chief Executive Officer has been withdrawn fraudulently by one Extension Officer.
Seven Members of Thoubal ZP filed a complaint to the Vigilance Commission stating that former ZP Chairperson Abdur Ataur Rahaman and former CEO A Romita misappropriated Rs 15,83,282 and another Rs 11,00,000 sanctioned by Science and Technology Department.
Acting on the complaint, the commission conducted an enquiry and in the process it came to light that the said amounts were withdrawn by an Extension Officer and not the two persons named by the Thoubal ZP members.
Funds sanctioned by the State Finance Commission and the 13th Finance Commission were deposited in the joint bank account of the Chairperson and the CEO opened it at UBI Thoubal branch (account no 15758) .
For the Integrated Rural Energy Programme (IREP), Science and Technology Department deposited certain amount of funds in SBI Thoubal branch (account no 11746668173) .
The commission after checking the account statement of UBI's account number 15748, discovered that only Rs 6478 were left in balance.
Moreover, the amount deposited at SBI for procuring LED street lamps under IREP was also found withdrawn.
Even though the amount was withdrawn, it was deposited in the bank account of MANITRON General Manager.
The commission asked Extension Officer Asad Ali to furnish all documents related with withdrawal of the two amounts from UBI and SBI but the commission was not given any documents.
On further investigation, it was found that Asad Ali signed on an agreement written on a non-judicial stamp (no 128372) declaring that he withdrew the total amount of Rs 27 lakh on November 15, 2011 .
Subsequently, the Vigilance Commission has recommended the Rural Development Commissioner to institute a departmental enquiry against Extension Officer Asad Ali so that some concrete actions can be initiated against him.