Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, June 15 2010:
Reacting to the news report published in the June 12 edition of this paper under the caption, 'Relief fund of Rs 46.5 lakhs swindled,' Commissioner of Relief and Disaster Management, Manipur, Dr Suhel Akhtar has clarified that the allegation that "Commissioner Relief and DM did not seek approval of the Chief Secretary, before granting administrative approval and expenditure sanction for the huge amount," is not correct.
In a statement, the IAS officer said that the sanction was accorded by the State level CRF Committee in its meeting held on October 28, 2009 .
Further the said sanction order, number 1/75/2006-NC (RLF/BPR) 2009, clearly stated that the DC of Bishnupur shall release the payment to each beneficiary by account payee.
An Account Payee Cheque for the said amount was issued by the Relief and Disaster Management Department to the Bishnupur DC, said the officer.
Since the amount had to be transferred to the account of the payee, it was done so in the name of the DC.
SBI, Imphal Secretariat branch was bound to transfer these funds to the account of the DC of Bishnupur, said claimed the Commissioner and added that unfortunately the SBI, Imphal Secretariat branch allowed the withdrawal of cash of the account payee cheque apparently on the basis of forged the signatures.
No confirmation was sought from the DC or the Relief and Disaster Management Dept, claimed Dr Suhel Akhtar.
The matter is under investigation by the State CID, Crime Branch and the State Vigilance Commission.
The Relief and Disaster Management Department has also written to the higher authorities of the SBI and their reply is being awaited, added Dr Akhtar.