Taking action against only two officers for fund misappropriation is not fair: ATRPFM
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, March 01 2020: Though All Tribal Rights Protection Forum Manipur (ATRPFM) has no issue with the suspension of Joint Director and the Deputy Director of TA&Hills Department from their respective posts for alleged misappropriation of funds, the forum highly opposed discrimination and favouritism in taking such action, said a statement issued by ATRPFM.

Claiming that it was not only these two officers that are accountable if the allegations are true, it continued mat the present DDO of the Department has also allegedly misappropriated Rs 42 lakh and ten thousand without proper authorisation, but action has been taken up only against two officers which is not fair.

The misappropriation and misuse of funds in respect of TA&Hills were already brought before the Comptroller and Auditor General of India.

Thereafter, the matter was observed and examined under the Chairmanship of O Joy Singh which was tabled on the floor of the House during 9th Manipur State Legislative Assembly on March 12, 2008 as 13th report.

And the matter was again brought before the Comptroller and Auditor General of India.

Further, during the Chairmanship of Dr Ibohalbi Singh, the Public Account Committee has also observed and examined the matter and tabled on the floor of the House on July 24, 2014, as 14th report in 10th Manipur State Legislative Assembly, it claimed.

Alleging that the Public Account Committee (PAC) and the Welfare of SC & ST Committee, Manipur Legislative Assembly are the two statutory Committees which have the right to observe the matter, it maintained that the State Government handed over the matter to the House Committee which has been constituted recently and taken up the matter afresh that led to the suspension of two officers and shown leniency towards other officers which is not fair.

This will create lapses in the functioning of the statutory Committees and the secrecy and confidential matters as per service rules are opened up just for promotional goal of a mere officer, it claimed further alleging that utilization, misappropriation and misuse of funds of the Department is said to be audited by AG of India from time to time and is reflected in audit report of the year.

Since the service of present DDO was regularized only in December 2013 without drawing salary due to non-submission of required documents, he can be considered as non-employee of the Government, it claimed and added that misappropriation and misuse of funds occurred in every Department, hence, law should be operated equally to all officers of all Departments.

The forum then appealed the State Government to reconsider and take action against all officers of all Department or set aside the suspension of the two officers in public interest.

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