Treasury scandal in Sheopur unearthed

Bhopal, Sep 11: A major scandal involving withdrawal of Rs 1.50 crore from the treasury for disbursing salary arrears of 24 fake employees of a private school taken over by the government in Sheopur district of Madhya Pradesh has been detected, official sources said today.

Senior lecturer Ramnaresh Sharma had allegedly withdrawn the money from the Vijaypur sub-treasury in July for disbursing salary arrears after he was granted drawing and disbursal powers by the District Collector.

Official sources, however, said since school principal P C Jain had been authorised by the Accountant General for withdrawing money from the sub-treasury, nobody else could be granted drawing and disbursal powers.

As the matter amounted to gross irregularity, detailed inquiry has been recommended, the sources said.

Mr Sharma, who had a major role in running the private school, is absconding. He had reportedly opened accounts in two banks in Morena for withdrawing the money.

A FIR had been lodged in this regard against Mr Sharma, treasury officer D K Bhavasar, accountant S P S Raghav and treasury and accounts clerk Devicharan Karn. However, no arrests had been made thus far.

Besides, Mr Raghav, Mr Karn and one other accountant has been suspended. The Director (Treasury and Accounts) has recommended suspension of Mr Bhavasar.

Sources said private Maharshi Ramsumirandas Higher Secondary School at Sasaram in Sheopur district had been taken over by the Education department through a government order in 1997. In next two years, 19 employees had been accommodated in the Education department.

However, Rs 1.5 crore was withdrawn towards payment of salary arrers of the past 10 years through several bills. The matter came to light when district treasury officer investigated the bills on suspicion that more money was being withdrawn.

On the basis of investigation by the district treasury, the Director (Treasury and Accounts) took strict measures against concerned officials including directing lodging of FIR and issuing suspension orders.

UNI