Imphal, May 26: Based on the findings of the House Committee set up to probe the fraudulent withdrawal of over Rs 12 crores as pensions, arrear pensions and arrear in the names of retired Head Master/Head Pandits of Lower Primary School, the State Government has suspended the Additional Director of School Education, NK Shimray.

The House Committee was constituted following a report filed by The Sangai Express on March 6, 2005 that crores of rupees had been fraudulently withdrawn in the name of retired Head Pandits.

Apart from the Additional Director, nine ZEOs have also been placed under suspension for their connivance in the fraudulent withdrawal of the money.

The suspension order is however not available with the press.

Twelve more employees serving in different capacities in the Scool Education Department have also been placed under suspension.

The suspended employees include H Ibungo (UDC, Directorate office), A Kiran (UDC, Directorate office), S Manihar (UDC, Directorate office), A Biren (UDC, Directorate office), N Rajen (Head Clerk of ZEO Zone II), Md Nazir (Sr Accountant of ZEO, Kakching), Th Shudham (LDC, ZEO, Zone III), Ng Chandrahas (UDC, ZEO III), Aruthei (Sr Accountant, ZEO, Ukhrul), Ngutotian (Accountant, ZEO CCpur), Thambalngou (UDC, ZEO Wangoi and Leinchungkhong Hmar (Sr Accountant, ZEO, CCpur).

One retired ZEO and another who has been promoted have also been implicated in the scam.

Announcing the suspension of NK Shimray, the Govt said that it has come to light that the named officer passed a large number of orders releasing the pay of Head Pandits/Head Masters of JB Schools to retired teachers of LP Schools with retrospective effect, some dating as far back as 1964.

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