Private account used on several counts
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 11 2018: In addition to the over Rs 81 lakh scholarship amount which was transferred to the private account of Manipur Minority and OBC Economic Development Society (MOBEDS) Assistant Project Officer Md Fazal Ali in three phases, money sanctioned for remedial coaching this year was drawn through the private account of Md Fazal Ali even though it was done with the signature of MOBEDS Member Secretary Kh Dineshchandra.

Sources informed that the particular bank through which pre-Matric OBC scholarship was distributed through RTGS said they could not take responsibility for beneficiaries' bank accounts which have been either suspended or frozen.

It was reported that many of the beneficiaries' bank accounts were found suspended or frozen.

As such, there is a need for a suspense account.

But in the absence of any such suspense account, the private account of Assistant Project Officer Md Fazal Ali was used for transaction of Government funds on several counts, said the sources.

Apart from the scholarship amount of over Rs 81 lakh, Rs 83 lakh sanctioned for vegetable farming and health scheme was drawn from the personal account of Agriculture Officer O Shamungou.

In connection with the purchase of 158 carpentry kits and 168 pump-sets for the economic development programme 2014-15 implemented by MOBC Department, a team led by MOBC Secretary carried out an investigation.

It was found that the money for purchasing carpentry kits and pump-sets was released by Agriculture Officer/scheme officer O Shamungou.

Even though the amount had been released, carpentry and pump-sets were not delivered.

Subsequently, the MOBC issued an office memorandum on June 10, 2015 whereby a show cause notice was served to MOBC Director Kh Dineshchandra, said the sources.

Reports say that another investigation carried out by the MOBC Principal Secretary into financial and other irregularities such as modification of list of selected scholarship beneficiaries, double debiting of scholarship amount etc, found that the MOBC Director, the DDO and other officials were involved in the frauds.

Despite such massive irregularities, no concrete action has been initiated till date.

As such, there is a need for a thorough enquiry by a most competent team in order to take up befitting actions, said the sources.

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