Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 23: The casual approach of the State Government in dealing with the cases of fraud and embezzlement of huge public money was exposed on the floor of the Upper House today when the BJP Legislator, Surinder Mohan Ambardar asked what action has been taken against the accused officers and other employees after the fraud worth over Rs 1 crore was detected in Special Forest Division Tangmarg in Kashmir in 2015.
Raising the issue during Question Hour in the Legislative Council, the BJP member said there was massive embezzlement in the Spl Forest Division Tangmarg Kashmir, the CAG Report of March 2015 also projected the same. A committee was also framed during that periods but it is strange that no action has been taken by the Government so far. No responsibility was fixed on any one in this connection, he maintained.
Minister for Forest and Environment , Ch Lal Singh while responding to the question, claimed that during last three year no such fraud has taken place. This is an old case which took place between 2010-2014, during previous NC-Congress regime.
He said as per preliminary report a Junior Assistant of Special Forest Division Tangmarg figured in the report. He said the accused employee said to have deposited some amount in the Government Treasury.
The Minister claimed that an Inquiry Committee has been constituted vide Govt order No. 18-FST of 2017 dated 14-2-2017 and the report is still awaited. The outcome of the report will be communicated as and when it is received. But he maintained that no such fraud has taken place during his tenure. He will not allow such things to happen. The case pertains top previous Government. Everything will be clear when the report comes. ” We do not want any innocent is made scapegoat,” he added.
Ambardar asked whether it happened due to lack of internal control mechanism in the Forest Department as projected by CAG report or in connivance with some top people in the department, the Minister maintained as long as he is there no such thing is going to happen in his department. But Member should have patience and when the report comes the action will also be taken accordingly.
The member asked already about one year is over after a committee was framed and matter came to light about two years back, why an action was delayed. The Minister claimed so much of amount is involved in the case, the committee has to check each and every bill, scrutinize detailed documents and relevant papers. The process may take some time. But the report will come out soon, he remarked.
Trending Now
E-Paper
Follow our WhatsApp channel