Over Rs 2 crore withdrawn unauthorizedly
Nishikant Khajuria
JAMMU, June 11: In a major action against corrupt practices, Rural Development Department today ordered suspension of two Assistant Commissioners of Development (ACDs) and 11 Block Development Officers (BDOs) for excess withdrawal of MGNREGA funds in three districts of Kashmir.
An inquiry has been initiated into the matter of withdrawal of funds in excess under MGNREGA in the districts of Baramulla, Anantnag and Shopian. Director Rural Development Kashmir has been appointed as the Inquiry Officer. He shall complete the inquiry and submit the report along with his recommendation in the matter fixing responsibility, to the Administrative department within a period of 15 days.
Four separate orders were issued in this regard by Bipul Pathak, Principal Secretary, RDD. More than Rs two crores were unauthorizedly withdrawn from e-FMS account by District Baramulla, Anantnag and Shopian.
The suspended officers are Yaar Ali Khan, ACD Baramulla;Nisar Ahmad Malik, ACD Anantnag; Junaid Amin Bhat, BDO Shangus and holding additional charge of block Sagam in district Anantnag; Shakeeb Arsallan, BDO Pahalgam; Talat Mahmood Wani, BDO Bijbehara, Muzaffar Hussain Wani, BDO Breng, holding additional charge of block Lamoo, Umar Bashir, BDO Verinag; Nassir Ahmad, BDO Noorkhah; Hilal Ahmad Bhat, BDO Parenpillan, Sheeba Inayat, BDO Singhpora; Fahmeeda Bano, BDO Sopore; Mohd Aarif Shah, BDO Uri and Abdul Rashid Garal, BDO Wagoora.
Except one BDO, all the suspended officers are KAS. They shall remain attached with the Directorate of Rural Development Department, Kashmir.
According to an order under number 144 –RD&PR of 2021, dated 11-06-2021, perusal of NREGA Soft on 08-04-2021 revealed that district Baramulla has withdrawn amount of Rs 1.91 crores from common account of MGNREGA (eFMS, Material & Wages) unauthorizedly.
An explanation vide number RD-NREGA/33/2021, dated 09-04-2021 was sought from ACD Baramulla regarding excess withdrawl of funds (Rs 1.91 crore) and he was directed to explain his position within two days.
However, he failed to provide proper reason and also did not give block- wise and GP- wise data indicating the blocks withdrawing excess amount against the funds released. Even as reminders were issued to ACD Baramulla and Director RDD Kashmir in this regard but no reply was received from the ACD and DRDK till date. At the same time, district Baramulla was continuously withdrawing amount unauthorizedly and as on date Rs 2.04 crores have been withdrawn.
“In the backdrop of above, ACD Baramulla has failed to perform his duties to control his BDOs from excess withdrawal (unauthorizedly) so, Yaar Ali Khan, ACD Baramulla is hereby placed under suspension with immediate effect and shall remain attached with the Directorate of Rural Development Kashmir. Gulzar Ahmad, Assistant Commissioner Panchayat, Baramulla shall hold the charge of ACD Baramulla in addition to his own duties till further orders,” reads the order.
Similarly, as per order under number 145 – RD&PR of 2021, dated 11-06-2021 perusal of NREGA Soft on 24-05-2021 revealed that District Anantnag has withdrawn amount of Rs nine lakh from common account (eFMS, Material & Wages) unauthorizedly.
After the explanation in this regard was sought from ACD Anantnag Nisar Ahmad Malik, he submitted that BDO Pahalgam, BDO Sogam, BDO Breng, BDO Bijbehara, BDO Larnoo and BDO Verinag made excess payment and violated the conditions of release of payments.
However, the ACD did not provide names of concerned BDOs despite request for the same while district Anantnag kept withdrawing excess amount unauthorizedly and as on date Rs 15 lakh were withdrawn.
“In the backdrop of above, ACD Anantnag has failed to perform his duties to control his BDOs from excess withdrawal (unauthorized) so, Nisar Ahmad Malik, ACD Anantnag is hereby placed under suspension with immediate effect and shall remain attached with the Directorate of Rural Development Kashmir. Ideel Saleem, Assistant Commissioner Panchayat, Anantnag shall hold the charge of ACD Anantnag in addition to his own duties till further orders,” said the order.
Meanwhile, in a separate order, the Government has also suspended 11 BDOs for unauthorized withdrawal of funds (excess) from e-FMS account in Noorkhah, Parenpillan, Singhpora, Sopore, Uri, Wagoora of district Baramulla and Sogam, Pahalgam, Bijbehara, Breng, Larnoo, Verinag blocks of district Anantnag.
Director Rural Development Department Kashmir has been asked to make suitable alternative arrangements to look after the charge of these blocks.
According to another order for inquiry into the matter, the Inquiry Officer shall examine the technicalities involved in excess drawl under MGNREGA and identify BDOs, Panchayat Secretaries, VLWs, MPWs, MIS operators responsible for the same.
Besides, the Inquiry Officer shall also examine why excess withdrawl was not reported by the concerned ACD to the Administrative Department and why authorization release of additional funds was not requested to the competent authority.
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