Imphal, November 07 2009: Along with surrendering the remaining balance amount of Rs 56 lakhs today, the entire amount of Rs 4.54 crores that a SoO signatory UG group had fraudulently withdrawn from UBI Churachandpur Branch has been recovered.

The Government has also given instruction to hand over the UG cadres who were involved in the scam in violation of the ground rules of SoO for taking up necessary legal action.

The amount was sanctioned by the Government of India for taking up developmental works in the district under the Multi-Sectoral Development Programme (MSDP).

After a police investigation into the fraudulent withdrawal of the amount in six instalments in between October 3 to 14 and identification of those involved in the scam, the matter was taken up in the meeting of the Joint Monitoring Group of SoO held on October 29 and also attended by Joint secretary of North East in-charge of Union Home Ministry Nabin Verma.

Consequently, the Army had been entrusted with the task of recovering the amount.

Apart from strong pressure from the side of the Army, public of Churachandpur had also given pressure on the UG group for handing over the amount meant for implementation of Water Supply Scheme to ensure safe drinking water and Housing Scheme in the district.

Officials of UBI have also reported giving strong warning to the employees of the bank branch in this regard.

After some portion of the amount that had been withdrawn fraudulently from the account of the Executive Engineer of DRDA were refunded in two instalments, the remaining balance of Rs 56 lakh was handed over at around 8 am today in the presence of Brig Rajiv Pant of 27 Sector, DC Jacinta Lazarus and SP G Bimol.

The remaining balance amount which was handed over today too has been seized after being produced before the court of CJM Churachandpur.

Although the SoO signatory UG group has refunded the entire amount, it is said that the police investigation into the matter would continue to ensure arrest of all the UG cadres involved in the case.

The State Government is also learnt to have given necessary instructions for handing over the involved UG cadres for initiating necessary legal actions against them.

Meanwhile, according to information received by the press, leaders of the armed outfit involved in the scame have reportedly assured to the Army and the State Government to hand over three of its cadres involved in the fraudulent withdrawal of the MSDP fund.

However, no commitment on when the cadres would be handed over has not been given.

Comment