Moreh, Jun 01: The fraudulent withdrawal of GPF of employees serving in the office of the Moreh Deputy Inspector of Schools is snowballing into a major discomfort as the number of victim teachers has risen to four compared to the previous figure of three.

According to a reliable source, the previous estimate of about Rs 82,099 withdrawn in fraudulent manner has now swelled to over Rs 3 lakhs (3.27) besides detection of another case in the Education Directorate (S) office branch.

The victim teachers, from whose GPF accounts the huge amount have been swindled without their knowledge, are assistant teachers of Mongjang LP School Tonglim Haokip (A/C No 23682), Sengjathang Haokip of Bongli Junior H/S (A/C No 20097), lingneithim Kipgen of Aigeyang LP School (A/C No 20282) and L Sokhothang of Maolhang LP School (A/C No 20563).The sanction order empowering the withdrawal is informed to be 9/2/04 SE (S) GPF dated Sept 3, 2004 and the bill number issued 18 days later 85/01/MHR.It may be recalled that a circular floated by the Finance Department regarding the shoddy Moreh DI episode had cited the withdrawn amount from GPFs of three teachers as Rs 82,099.with fraud cases at alarming frequency clouding the Education Department such issues had rocked many State Assembly sessions leading to formation of a House Committee whose members consequently travelled to the border town for ground assessment of the Moreh DI office case.

Preliminary probe finding indicated that GPF accounts of three assistant teachers Tonglim Haokip, lingneithim Kipgen and one TT Haokip were found to be negative-balance as excess amounts had been withdrawn.

Of the three Tonglim and Lingneithem had lodged formal complaints to higher-ups stating they had no knowledge of any withdrawals.

adding a twist to the fraud case is deletion of TT Haokip's name from the Moreh Treasury Office during re-checking process of relevant documents and replacement of the list with two new names apart from increase in the amount withdrawn.

Talking to The Sangai Express, Moreh DI Th Nabachandra denied issuance of any sanction order by the Additional Director of Education (S) in connection with the withdrawals.

On the other hand, a Government order prescribed deduction from monthly salaries of the assistant teachers whose GPF balance were found to be negative.

Soon after the order, Tonglim Haokip reportedly deposited requisite amount (Rs 6170) for equilibrium of GPF balance and this exercise is highly speculated for his exemption in a later report.

Further departmental investigation has been launched to ascertain role of TT Haokip regarding another disparity in GPF accounts amounting to Rs 83,000.source informed that the withdrawal was effected under sanction order bearing No 9/2/04 SE(S) GPF issued on October 16, 2004 with the bill number issued on Nov 24, the same year said to be 126/DI/MHR.

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