IT Exclusive
Imphal, Feb 12:
A shocking revelation has surfaced in the inspection report by the Principal Accountant General (Audit), Manipur, exposing financial irregularities within the Rural Engineering Department. The report has flagged a staggering Rs. 89.81 Lakh drawn through self-cheques by H. Santakumar Singh—who was serving as Executive Engineer at the time and is now the Chief Engineer of the department.
The self-cheques were issued as advance payments for preparing Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) under the Manipur State Rural Roads Development Agency. However, when Imphal Times inquired with other departments about whether government employees are entitled to payments for preparing DPRs, officials clarified that no additional payment can be made if the DPR is prepared by the employee themselves.
The audit, conducted from October 12 to October 22, 2020, examined the accounts and records of the Executive Engineer, Programme Implementation Unit-II (PIU-II), RED/MSRDA, Senapati, for the period from April 1, 2017, to March 31, 2020. It uncovered blatant violations of financial regulations, including persistent withdrawals through self-cheques—directly contradicting government mandates for digital transactions.
As per the Ministry of Finance’s directives (vide OM No. I (1)/2011/TA/292 dated 31/3/2012 and subsequent amendments), payments exceeding Rs. 5,000 must be made via e-payment to ensure transparency and prevent misappropriation. However, scrutiny of records revealed that between 2015-16 and 2019-20, a whopping Rs. 1,68,03,982/- was withdrawn through 12 self-cheques or by authorizing officials, with payments disbursed in cash—flouting financial rules and raising serious concerns about potential fund mismanagement.
The report categorically states that the Drawing and Disbursing Officer (DDO) failed to comply with established financial protocols, leading to a high-risk scenario for fund misappropriation. The exposure of these irregularities raises critical questions about accountability within the department and calls for immediate action against those responsible.
Despite clear instructions for digital payments, the Executive Engineer withdrew public funds through self-cheques and authorized cash payments—raising serious concerns about fund misuse.
The exposure of these financial irregularities raises a crucial question: Will the government act against corruption, or will this case be buried like many others? The public awaits justice.
