Shimla, Aug 10
Himachal Pradesh Government ordered probe against officers of Kangra Central Cooperative Bank who would be found involved in Rs 36.90 Cr financial scam pertaining to Talai Cooperative society of Bilaspur district. This was stated by the Urban Development minister Suresh Bhardwaj replying to a query raised by the Jeet Ram Katwal of BJP.
Minister said that scam was detected in the Talai Gram Sewa Sahkari Samiti 2017-18.
The audit team of Cooperative department detected embezzlement amounting upto Rs 32.71 Cr and later Rs 4.18 Cr embezzlement was also found by the audit party. Thus total embezzlement tune to 36.90 Cr was detected in the society.
Minister said that Secretary of Society Rajesh Patial lodged FIR. He added that ‘Surcharge proceeding’ had begun. During the investigation it has been found that secretary of the society tried to change the title of the property of the society in name of his children.
Keeping in the view department has ordered the state to file a civil suit in the matter so that proceeding of mutation could be opposed by the office bearer of the society.
Minister said that scam was running since the Congress rule moreover Jai Ram Govt have made number of reforms under the society act. Now Cooperative society have to involve the officer of department in the audit proceeding. The department found that societies are hiring retired officers and auditors to embezzle money moreover they are keeping double balance sheets to evade check and balances.
” Now Government has issued notification that non-members could become office bearers of society and they could not deposit money in the society. Sec 59 of the society act has been amended and rule was framed by the council of minsters that society (ies) have to conduct compulsory audit after every six month through a three member designated panel of M.Com and B.Com qualified auditor,” said Bhardwaj.
When the Congress member Ram Lal wanted to intervene on the issue the minister replied that the scam was continuing for so many years also includes the tenure of previous Congress rule.
Raising the query in the house Jeet Ram Katwal said that Rs 36.35 Cr financial scam has
been found in the Talai Cooperative society and recovery of Rs 17.70 Cr . He said that scam was continuing in the primary cooperative society and government officer and retired auditors are involved in the scam.
Member also wanted to know the rank of administrator appointed by government to look after the society for ensuring transparent functioning in future.
