Imphal, May 21: A total of 665 cases of ex-gratia claims have been made as on May 10 this year, said Chief Minister O Ibobi in the State Assembly today.

Of the total figure, 583 cases have been cleared while the remaining 82 cases are pending owing to non-submission of formal proposal, re-verification report and other necessary documents from the DCs concerned and intelligence office etc.

The State normally gives ex-gratia amount to the next of kins of innocent victims who were killed by outlawed organisations or in cross-fire between UGs and security forces, Ibobi said while responding to a poser raised by MLA Y Erabot during question hour today.

Only after cross-checking and establishing that everything is in order, the due amount is paid by the State which is again reimbursed by the Ministry of Home Affairs, he informed.

Erabot asserted that the State has failed to pay ex-gratia amount in connection with the gunning down of two persons including an Extension Officer of Agriculture Dept at North AOC on Dec 31, 2005.Responding to a query raised by Wungnaoshang Keishing, the Chief Minister assured that necessary actions would be initiated against individuals and officials found guilty for fraudulent withdrawal and release of bills/cheques against different road development/maintenance programmes in Ukhrul district.

Wungnaoshang asserted that in the name of a deceased contractor, different cheques were signed by one AE and not by the cashier concerned against several road development works, which were not executed properly.

The amount had subsequently been withdrawn from a bank at Imphal, he added.

To the disclosure of Wungnaoshang, Ibobi said that if the procedure of signing issuing cheques by AE is not permissible under the existing rules, necessary actions will be initiated against all concerned officials.

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