Imphal, March 14: After thorough investigation and verification of relevant documents pertaining to misappropriation of over Rs 1.88 crore in the Veterinary Department, the High Powered Committee has recommended appropriate action against the Joint Director of Veterinary and Animal Husbandry Department Dr L Jilla Singh.

According to a reliable source, Dr Jilla's involvement in embezzling the said amount was unearthed based on the report of the State Vigilance Department as well as intimation from the Director (Vety & AH) to the Committee on May 17, 2006. In pursuance of the Committee's punitive action against Dr Jilla, it is informed that District Registrar of both Imphal west and East districts and Sub Registrars of the two districts, as well as of Wangoi, Lamshang and Sawombung have been instructed to take all relevant measures to prevent the accused from transferring his properties to any other person or dependants pending recovery of the unaccounted amount.

On the departmental front, action against Dr Jilla under the manipur Public Servants' Personal Liability Act would cover holding back of salary and other entitlements including GPF payable till the matter is settled.

The recommendation of the Committee which is headed by the Chief Secretary as Chairman dates back to the panel's second meeting held on February 22 this year which minutely studied a previous personal appearance by Dr Jilla, who was then the DDO, and apprising the Committee members of his inability to place a written statement, as directed, on the ground that it would be sub-judice since the State Vigilance Commission had already registered a case on the matter in addition to the matter pending before the Court of Special Judge No 1. However, on further perusing the official letter (May 5, 2006) from the Director (V&AH Services) addressed to the Commissioner (Vety) by the High Power Committee it came to light that there existed a variation of Rs 1,77,74,942 between the book balance and the bank balance, the source detailed.

Apart from the Director (V&AH) intimating to the Government for appropriate action against Dr Jilla, perusal of another letter from the State Vigilance Commission to the Commissioner (Vety) for prosecution of the accused, led to the revelation that during the course of the investigation, bills passed by the Imphal East Treasury and encashed through UBI, Imphal Branch (MG Avenue) was found to be credited to the DDO's Account (No CD/20950) with the UBI and operated by himself (Dr Jilla), the source maintained.

The High Power Committee whose other members also include the Commissioner (Finance) RR Rashmi and Secretary (DP) S sunderlal, further came across Dr Jilla Singh not clearing payment of a sum of over Rs 1.35 crore as shown in the cash book balance (Feb 28, 2006) in respect of 12 paid and unpaid bills and that as per cash book balance for the period from Feb 28, 2006 to May 15, 2006 payment of 34 bills totalling Rs 1.35,66,516 had not been cleared by the accused Joint Director, who is informed to be currently placed under suspension.

With the Vigilance Commission reporting that only Rs 34,845 could be found available as bank balance, the Committee concluded that the amount misappropriated by Dr Jilla tallied to Rs 1,88,83,124 and as such the State Government accorded prosecution sanction against the accused in the latter part of 2007 (Order No 7/9/2005), the source disclosed.

Regarding the February, 2008 meeting of the Committee it is further informed that the Director (Vety&AH) and Dr L Jilla Singh ex-DDO were also present wherein the Director apprised the panel members that a case was also filed by Ms Oriental Printing Home for non-payment of bill amounting to Rs 1,35,252 for printing of different schedules including cost of stationery items and a contempt case laying before the High Court.

Consequently, on advice of the Finance department, the Administrative Department instructed for recovery of a sum of Rs 1,35,252 from the then DDO (Dr Jilla) for recovery of the said liability, the source added while hastening to mention that as the matter relating to misappropriation of Rs 1.88 crore by Dr Jilla was pending before the Committee, the Director (Vety) recommended with-holding GPF withdrawal of Rs 1.50 lakh sanctioned by the Government in respect of Dr Jilla.

with the Committee meeting of Feb 22 taking into account the fact that proceedings under the Manipur Public Servants' Personal Liability Act are strictly meant for recovery of the amounts defalcated by the DDO and having no bearing of the court of Law on the case the panel recommended relevant authorities the enlisted line of actions against Dr Jilla, the source said.

Comment