‘Fund use’ lands 39 babus in soup
Arrested oficials include two IAS officers who allegedly claimed money through channels
By : DC Correspondent
Update: 2014-10-28 06:29 GMT
Bengaluru: Thirty nine officials, including two IAS officers , are being investigated for allegedly claiming money through channels other than the one prescribed for work done by the rural development and panchayat raj (RDPR) department .Speaking to reporters here on Monday, RDPR minister, H K Patil said although the department insisted on making online payments for work done using Gandhi Sakshi Kayaka software, the officials had chosen to ignore this route and instead withdraw money directly from banks, producing bills.
Sensing foul play, the government had issued notices to 64 officials, who did not use the software, but barring 39, all others gave a satisfactory explanation and were let off. Of the remaining, 29 had already been placed under suspension pending inquiry, he revealed.Those under investigation include former Bidar ZP CEP, Ujwal Kumar Ghosh, former Chitradurga ZP CEO, N Manjushree, and Ramanagar Chief Accounts Officer, Mallaiah. Despite such hiccups the use of the software by officers to give details of the work carried out with illustrative photographs online before submitting their bills, has jumped from 48 per cent to 96 per cent over the years, according to the minister.
“On receiving the information online, the banks make the payment directly to the officers, but now the department has instructed them not to release funds if the officers come to them directly,, “ Mr Patil added.