IT News
Imphal, Feb 6:
The Tribal Affairs and Hills (TAH) Department has identified five former employees as involved in the fraudulent withdrawal of departmental funds as per house committee report dated 25-3-2022. The individuals named are: K. Daimei, former Joint Director/DDO (TAH), Z. Solomon, former Joint Director/DDO (TAH), Binodini Devi, former Joint Director/DDO (TAH), Pheijao Singh, former Deputy Director/DDO (TAH), N. Kaikho Mao, former Joint Director/DDO (TAH)
An RTI application was filed to the Tribal Affairs and Hills Department, seeking access to the investigation report of an inquiry conducted by the Departmental Inquiry Committee and the House Committee of the Manipur Legislative Assembly for the misappropriation of Rs 30.36 Crore by the Tribal Affairs and Hills Department.
An audit report by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) for the year ending 31 March 2020 revealed that the Tribal Affairs and Hills Department withdrew scheme funds deposited in bank accounts in gross violation of financial rules. A payment of Rs. 30.36 crore could not be verified in the audit due to the non-availability of records, vouchers, and acknowledgment payment receipts (APRs), raising concerns about doubtful expenditure and suspected misappropriation of funds.
The report further states that the Directorate withdrew Rs. 28.61 crore between August 2017 and July 2019 without any sanction from the Head of Department (HOD). This amount was withdrawn from the Government Account and deposited into its bank account, violating Rule 22 and Rule 26 of the General Financial Rules (GFR), 2017. The entire fund was withdrawn jointly by the Director and the DDO through 62 self-cheques, with amounts ranging from Rs. 5 lakh to Rs. 1 crore. These withdrawals were recorded as advance payments in the cheque register for various construction projects, including buildings and inter-village roads.
Additionally, the report highlights that Rs. 1 crore was withdrawn in July 2019 from the department’s bank account but was not recorded in the cash book. There were no APRs supporting payments to beneficiaries or implementing agencies, and the withdrawn amount was not available in the cash chest, as per the Cash Verification Report dated 31 August 2021.
Furthermore, the audit found discrepancies in the distribution of Rs. 75.22 lakh, allegedly withdrawn in cash for the medical treatment of beneficiaries. The funds were reportedly distributed among 504 beneficiaries, yet no details of disbursement were recorded in the Directorate’s cash book. The amount was also not available in the cash chest, as per the Cash Verification Report dated 31 August 2021. Due to the lack of documentary evidence, the audit could not confirm where the Rs. 75.22 lakh was kept, spent, or for what purpose it was used.
Keeping scheme funds outside government accounts is a gross violation of financial rules. The withdrawal of Rs. 30.36 crore (Rs. 28.61 crore + Rs. 1 crore + Rs. 0.75 crore) from the department’s bank account between August 2017 and July 2019, without maintaining documentary evidence of custody and disbursement, was deemed irregular. As a result, the audit was unable to verify where the funds were spent or to whom they were paid.
In the absence of vital records supporting expenditure, the incurred costs are considered doubtful, and misappropriation of scheme funds cannot be ruled out. The audit report recommends that the matter be investigated by the Vigilance Department and that action be taken under the Manipur Public Servants’ Personal Liability Act, 2006 against the officials responsible for these financial irregularities, ensuring accountability in handling public funds.
However, in response to the Audit Office in January 2022, the Tribal Affairs and Hills Department reiterated that the matter was under investigation by both a Departmental Inquiry and a House Committee of the Manipur Legislative Assembly.
Since no information regarding the investigation was available, an RTI application was filed seeking: A copy of the investigation report of the inquiry; if the investigation has not been completed, the reasons for the delay, along with the names and designations of the inquiry committee members; a copy of the order initiating the investigation; the names and designations of the officials involved in the misappropriation of government funds.
In response to the request for the investigation report and the order initiating the departmental inquiry, the Director of the department stated that the requested information did not fall under the purview of the Tribal Affairs and Hills Department.
Regarding the request for reasons why the investigation was not completed, the Director stated that the information sought did not fall under the ambit of the RTI Act, 2005.
After thoroughly analyzing the Director’s response, it appears that the inquiry has not been completed to date. According to general guidelines in India, a departmental inquiry against a government employee should ideally be completed within six months from the date of appointing the Inquiry Officer, though extensions may be granted in specific circumstances with proper justification.
The delay in completing the departmental inquiry not only raises suspicions about a cover-up but also paves the way for continued financial mismanagement within government departments. Given the gravity of the Rs. 30.36 crore financial irregularity, immediate action should be taken to expedite the investigation. The Vigilance Department must intervene to ensure accountability and prevent further misuse of public funds.
Any official found guilty of financial misappropriation should face strict legal consequences under the Manipur Public Servants’ Personal Liability Act, 2006 and other relevant laws.