Public fund found deposited in personal account
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, July 17 2015 :
A certain amount of public money sanctioned for digitization of ancient texts/documents of Manipur has been found deposited in the personal bank account of the Manipur State Archives Deputy Director.
As there was a strong suspicion about swindling a huge amount of money sanctioned for digitization of old records and construction of a water reservoir within the complex of Manipur State Archives, the State Vigilance Commission carried out an investigation.
After investigation, it was confirmed that a huge amount has been swindled.
Subsequently, the commission recommended the high power committee headed by the Chief Secretary to recover the said amount under the Manipur Public Servant Personal Liability Act.
The Director General of Archives provided a grant of Rs 20 lakh under the Archival Repositories, Government Libraries and Museums scheme to the Manipur State Archives in January last year for digitization of old records.
After passing a Bill (No 63-MSA) on March 23, 2014, the amount was deposited against account no 10329749770 which is the personal account of Dr K Sushila, the then Deputy Director of State Archives and present Director of Art and Culture.
In the course of the investigation, it was found that the Deputy Director acted in contravention of the Central Treasury Rules.
Except for photo copies of some documents, no 'corresponding notes' were found in the file pertaining to invitation of tenders for digitization of old records.
On studying the file, it was found that the task of digitization of old records was entrusted to Info Trade Services, Lamphel Supermarket, PDA Complex.
Deputy Director Dr Sushila and Longjam Ajit wrote an agreement to this effect.
However, statements given by Info Trade Services proprietor Thokchom Arunkumar to the commission maintained that his firm has no connection with Longjam Ajit and it had nothing to do with digitization of old records.
On inspecting the Manipur State Archives complex by the State Vigilance Commission, one digitization machine and a computer set were found installed there.
But there was no record about digitization of old texts/documents.
On the other hand, the Manipur State Archives was sanctioned Rs 4,60,000 for construction of water reservoir of 5000 litres capacity, and bills and brochures for purchasing construction materials were submitted to the commission by the State Archives.
However, the Manipur Tribal Development Corporation (MTDC) Executive Engineer-II maintained that no money was deposited with the corporation for construction of any water reservoir in the office complex of Manipur State Archives.
Further investigation revealed that no due permission was obtained to execute the work (construction of reservoir) at the departmental level.
After the investigation, the commission has recommended the Art and Culture Secretary to institute an enquiry and award major penalty.
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