Fund swindling aspersions raised
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, February 19 2023:
Suspicion of huge sum of money being swindled in the Manipur Milk Producers Cooperative Union Limited also known as Manipur Milk Union (MMU) has arisen with Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Minister Khashim Vashum, Sugnu AC MLA K Ranjit, MMU Chairman Th Ramananda and Joint Director of Veterinary and Animal Husbandry RK Khogendra inspecting different cooperative societies under MMU at Heinoubok, Langmeidong and Thinungei.
Speaking to media at one of the sites, Congress MLA K Ranjit said that the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying sanctions money for the wellbeing of dairy farmers every year.
Saying that MMU is the implementing body of the different projects and schemes taken up by the Centre to promote dairy farming in Manipur, K Ranjit continued that the signatures of the Chairman and the Managing Director of MMU are required for every transaction of the Union.
Claiming that there, however, is a report of the MMU Managing Director withdrawing the sanctioned fund in the five years (2017-2022) alone, the MLA stated that the matter was raised in the recent Assembly session too and the Minister concerned had assured to furnish the annual audit report.
The document produced by the department, however, didn't enclose audit report other than the annual account statement, K Ranjit claimed and alleged that the Managing Director of MMU had withdrawn about Rs 18 crore of the total Rs 30 crore sanctioned in the five years (2017 to 2022) without going through any audit process.
The Congress MLA went on to claim that some people using the Central fund sanctioned for MMU set up under Society Act and Rules as per their whim and fancy is evident.
K Ranjit maintained that he will raise the matter in the next Assembly session and demand the constitution of a House Committee to probe it.
Khashim Vashum, on the other hand, said that the matter raised by the Congress MLA in the interest of dairy farmers is welcome and it will make the department more attentive.
Saying that withdrawing funds without going through any step of audit is an indication of misappropriation, the Minister continued that he will probe the matter without taking sides.
There is suspicion of lapses in the functioning of MMU in the period (2017-2022), Khasim Vashum continued and added that there was issue even in the appointment of the Managing Director.
MMU didn't function properly in the last two years due to the Covid pandemic, he informed and added that he, nonetheless, will perform his duties as a responsible Minister.