Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, May 09:
The House Committee which was constituted to probe the fraudulent withdrawal of crores of rupees for retired Head Pandits has zeroed in on something much more bigger than was initially thought to be.
Talking to The Sangai Express, a well placed source said that the Committee has established that the number of Head Pandits-in-charge involved in the scam is not only 294 but 974.The Committee has also directed the State police to constitute a special investigation team to take up further action.
The House Committee was formed following reports carried by The Sangai Express that Rs 10 crores have been fraudulently withdrawn for school Head-Pandits-in-charge by back dating their retirement age.
The dimension of the scam became clear during the sixth meeting of the Committee which was held today under the chairmanship of MLA C Doungel, said the source.
During its sitting, the Committee members closely scrutinised documents of the Education Department as well documents submitted by the police, Vigilance and office of the Accountant General in connection with the case.
After minutely studying the reports submitted by the Vigilance and AG office, the Committee came to know that the number of Head-Pandits involved in the scam is not only 294 but 974.The amount fraudulently withdrawn was also found to be more than Rs 13 crores.
The investigation of the Committee started from the time Th Bira was the School Education Director till date.
As the Deputy Accountant General of the Ag office, who is also in charge of pensions did not appear for the sitting today, the officer has been asked to appear the next time with all the relevant documents, added the source.
The Committee had earlier registered a case with the Lamphel police and issued a directive to the police to constitute an investigation team to probe the matter further.
As the police has still not arrested anyone in connection with the case, despite registering the same with the police, the Committee members today expressed strong reservations against the inaction of the police.
The members also decided to nail all those involved so that fitting action can be taken up against all the officials of the Education Department including teachers and ZEOs as well as employees of the AG office, Secretariat and Treasury office, informed the source.