Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, July 26 2010:
Chief Minister, O Ibobi today said that action has started taken up in the alleged fraudulent withdrawal of fund amounting to Rs 46.05 lakh mean in the Relief and Disaster Management Department.
The fund which was mean for providing relief to the people affected by flood in Bishnupur district in 2008 was withdrawn using forge signature from the State Bank of India.
The matter was investigated by the State Level Committee after the DC of Bishnupur district who is also the chairman of the Relief District Level Committee submitted a report on the missing of the fund.
In connection with the case Cashier of the DC Bishnupur district has been arrested after placing him under suspension from his service.
He is currently on bail, Chief Minister said in reply to a cut motion moved by the oppositions in the House of the state Assembly while discussing the demand of grant for the Relief and Disaster Management Department.
Three more persons, a computer operator of the district DRDA appointed on contact basis, member of Zilla Parishad, A Rajen and a staff of the DC office, Samom Tomba, were also arrested and now in jail.
The computer operator has also been terminated from his job in the case and Rs 1.15 lakh also recovered from Samom Tomba.
Police is behind to a secretary and other staff of the DC, involved in the case to cause arrest to them, he added.
Appropriate action will be taken up after the enquiry is completed, the Chief Minister said.
Moving a cut motion in the discussion for demand for grant of the department, O Joy asked the House what step has been taken up with regard to the recommendation of the vigilance commission with regard to the case of fraudulent case.
He also insisted the Chief Minister to table a report on the action taken report on the recommendation of the Vigilance Commission.
He also strongly opposed in passing the demand saying that the demand cannot be passed without taking up appropriate action against the erring officials and staff in the fraudulent withdrawal case under the Manipur government Servant Liability Act.
The House also discussed the demand for grant for the agriculture, PHED, Fisheries, IFCD, Social Welfare Department and Economic and Statistic Department.
While discussing the demands, opposition members O Joy, Dr I Ibohalbi, Dr Ng Bijoy, RK Anand of MPP, Th Shyamkumar, N Mangi of ruling CPI, L Nandakumar of Congress, Dr L Ratankumar, M Hemanta of ruling took part.
After minister concerns clarified on the observations made by the members of the House, the demands for grant of Rs 103,19,68,000 for agriculture, Rs 164,00,97,000 for PHED, Rs 24,37,90,000 for fisheries, Rs 331,65,06,000 for IFCD, Rs 136,04,21,000 for social welfare, Rs 9,16,56,000 for relief and disaster management and Rs 9,92,43,000 for economic and statistic were passed by the house voice vote.