Rs 70 lakh swindled from PWD, two held
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, September 22 2012:
Provisional Gratuity (PG) amount of Rs 70 lakhs has been misappropriated inside Public Works Department in the name of some persons who are not employees of the department but using photographs of some genuine employees.
In connection with this case of fraudulence, police have pulled up two employees.
A highly placed source informed TSE that the PG amount of Rs 70 lakhs was drawn in phases repeatedly since last year.
In a clear case of fraud and forgery, some individuals who were not employees of the department were presented as genuine employees holding the rank of SOs.
It was thus the PG amount of more than Rs 70 lakhs was withdrawn.
However, bank accounts of the fictitious/impostor employees were opened using photographs of genuine employees.
It is reported that the department's Electrical Division II and III as well as Superintending Engineer, Electrical Circle are involved in the scam.
The amount of Rs 70 lakhs was withdrawn using 14 bills.
For one bill carrying cash value of around Rs five lakhs, the Govt has recovered the swindled amount.
Already, many have raised strong suspicion about involvement of some employees of the department in the scam.
Taking serious note of the unsual manner of withdrawing the PG amount, the Treasury Department intimated the matter to the PWD Chief Engineer who, in turn, registered a case at City police station.
In the meantime, Treasury office registered a case at Lamphel police station.
As the two cases were exactly similar, they were combined together and one SDPO of City Police is investigating into the case.
It is strange that the Treasury office did not check whether the names of the particular employees have been included in the MGEL before giving assent to withdraw the money.