Embezzlement of funds in Anantnag’s Larnoo, officials withdraw Rs 10 lakh without carrying out works
GRS to be disengaged, salaries of three employees withheld, says official
Jahangeer Ganaie
Anantnag, May 18 (KNO): A few employees from Block Office Larnoo in Anantnag district have fraudulently withdrawn around 10 lakhs without carrying out any work.
Official sources told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), that around Rs 10 lakhs were withdrawn in Panchayat Halqa Larnoo A in Block Larnoo Anantnag for developmental work without spending a single penny on the ground.
They added that the amount was withdrawn under 14th FCA and inquiry has already started.
They said that it was done by the employees of the block and there is need to check whether other officials are also involved in it as they are supposed to release the amount only after proper ground verification of the ground.
They added that if employees like GRS, Panchayat Secretary and others are involved in it but it isn’t possible that they might have done it with the active help of junior engineers and officials of the rural engineering wing.
An official of the department told KNO that they have already taken cognisance of the incident and a committee has been constituted to enquire into the matter.
He said that BDO Larnoo who was first person to bring the fraud to fore had already recovered around Rs 6 lakhs from the accused employees.
“As of now, salaries of three employees including Panchayat Inspector, Panchayat Secretary and GRS shall be withheld till conclusion of the enquiry and enquiry committee has been directed to submit report within seven days,” he said.
ACD Anantnag Riyaz Ahmad Shah told KNO that this incident has happened a few months ago after a GRS had misused the digital signature of Panchayat Secretary and others and a file for disengagement of GRS has been submitted to higher ups.
“The salaries of three employees have been withheld as they have failed to make the 100 percent recovery and their involvement in the mismanagement of funds is also being checked. But their involvement hasn’t been proved yet,” he said.
He said the final enquiry report is expected to come in next two weeks and the departmental action will be initiated against the employees who are found to be involved in the embezzlement of funds—(KNO)
