Bhopal:Sunday, September 26 : The state government has decoded to take tough action against those indulging in embezzlement, bungling and financial irregularities in cooperative institutions. Cooperative and Public Health Engineering Minister Shri Gaurishankar Bisen asked the departmental officers to take strict vigil at the grounds level on the financial irregularities and take tough action by suspending the concerned officers and employees immediately and initiate legal action against them. He said that the responsibility of financial irregularities should be fixed within 15 days and seal immovable properties of the accused before the case has been decided.
After instructions from the minister, the Commissioner of Cooperatives has, in a circular sent to all district collectors, field officers of the cooperative department, Chief Executive Officers of the District Cooperative Banks and District Agriculture and Rural Development Banks mentioned seven points of action. Under these points the officers have been asked to take strong and immediate action on the cases of financial irregularities, bungling and embezzlements. The circular said that as and when the irregularities are detected, responsibilities for the same should be fixed within 15 days. On the basis of primary investigation the matter should be reported to the police immediately and First Information Report (FIR) should be registered. Certified copies of documents pertaining to the case should be submitted to the police. Immediately after registering F I R, claim for insurance should be filed. If claim for insurance was not filed within the time limit, the responsibility of the concerning officer should be fixed.
The circular said that the police would not be able to put up chalan in the court in the absence of audit report. At the same time, in the absence of information about accounts of cooperative institutions, the desired speed of action will not be happened. The circular has made it clear that under Section 58, provision has been made about special auditing. In such cases, after registering F I R, special auditing should be conducted during the investigation. The circular has directed to take initiatives for immediate action against the accused under service rules. The circular also mentioned that decision of penal action against the accused employees should be taken within a period of three months. The circular also mentioned to take immediate action for recovery of the amount with interest in case of embezzlement or financial irregularities. The circular has clearly mentioned that action should be initiated to seal the immovable properties of the accused so that he is not able to dispose off them. For this, action should be initiated under Sections 58 (b) and 68 of Cooperative Act. The circular said that the records pertaining to the case should be kept in safe custody. In the cases of embezzlement, bungling and bogus loan cases it will be the responsibility of the chief executive officer of the concerned institution and responsible officers of the cooperative department of the district to take up the matter in the monthly meetings and inform the decision taken at the meetings to the Commissioner, Cooperatives.