Imphal, February 12: After an investigation into the case related to disbursal of Rs 1,89,04,629 by the former Project Director of Manipur State AIDS Control Society (MACS) to various NGOs for conducting awareness programme on HIV/AIDS in violation of not only the operational guidelines of National AIDS Control Organisation (NACO) but also without the approval of the Executive Committee of MACS, the State Vigilance has recommended to the Government to initiate a departmental inquiry and has recommended a major penalty.

Disclosing this to The Sangai Express, a reliable source said that the Government entrusted Vigilance to investigate into the case related to disbursal of a huge amount of money from the fund released by NACO which is under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare during 2007-08 for implementation of the National AIDS Control Programme Phase-III (NACP-III) in violation of the operational guidelines of NACO and without the approval of the Executive Committee of MACS.

It is said that after the Ministry revised the fund allocation of NACP-III and fixed amount of the State for the year 2007-08, the amount was released in two instalments.

The first instalment of Rs 8,67,56,000 was released to MACS on July 4, 2007 and Rs 11,38,00,000 was released on September 28, 2007 as the second instalment.

The fund thus released was subsequently deposited in the cash book account (computerised project management and finance statement) of the society.However, as against the earmarked amount of Rs 400 lakhs for the annual action plan of the society for conducting awareness programme, former Project Director Dr TR Kom sanctioned a total amount of Rs 5,89,04,629 and disbursed the same to the NGOs.

The excess amount of Rs 1,89,04,629 sanctioned by him was not only in violation of the operational guidelines of NACO and without the approval of the Executive Committee of the society but also in defiance of the earlier resolution of the Executive Committee meeting held on May 25, 2001 that forbid Project Director from sanctioning more than Rs 50,000 for one programme or scheme as well as diversion of the sanctioned fund for any other purpose.

There were also irregularities in disbursal of the fund for conducting awareness programmes among the NGOs, the source added.

After a thorough investigation into the case, the Vigilance has recommended to the Government for initiating a departmental inquiry for awarding major penalty not only against the former Project Director of MACS Dr TR Kom but also to Finance Officer of the Society Th Rajendra, the source disclosed.

Moreover, the Government has also directed to look into the possibility of take up necessary action under the Manipur Public Servant Personnel Liabilities Act, the source added.

On the other hand, after the Vigilance has found out the involvement of one EE in connection with utilisation of Rs 29 crores in works which were out of the purview of the Khuga Multipurpose Project, the investigating agency has detected involvement of two more EEs.

Accordingly, Vigilance has recommended to the Government for taking up necessary action against them under the Manipur Public Servant Personnel Liabilities Act.

The two EEs who allegedly issued the work orders inspite of an earlier order enforced by the then Chief Engineer against releasing the fund, have been identified as Ginjathang Hangjo and K Bheigyachandra.

However, among the two, Ginjathang Hangjo has been passed away.

Late Ginjathang allegedly issued work orders worth Rs 7,30,000 while Bheigyachandra issued work orders worth Rs 4,12, 79,000 .

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