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Jammu, Jan 3 (UNI) Losses over Rs 77 crore to the Jammu and Kashmir's exchequer, due to the misappropriation of funds and disproportionate assets held by the government employees, were detected by State Vigilance Organisation (SVO) in the past three years.

The SVO detected losses to the tune of Rs 77.40 crore in the cases, including both fresh and concluded, since January 1, 2005, an official spokesman told UNI.

The amount included misappropriation of Rs 58.05 crore and disproportionate assets worth Rs 12.61 crore, he said, adding that besides, an amount of Rs 6.74 crore was saved as part of preventive vigilance by reporting matters to government, needing immediate corrective or administrative action.

In year 2007, the SVO registered 81 cases against 109 government employees, including 44 Gazetted officials and 18 private workers.

''At least 46 government employees, including 10 Gazetted officials, were caught red handed while accepting bribe in 2007,'' he said.

''Out of 81 cases registered in 2007, as many as 43 cases are related to the districts other than Jammu and Srinagar. Out of 41 trap cases, 21 cases pertained to rural areas,'' the spokesman added.

Enforcement of anti-corruption laws in remote and rural areas of the state was one of the objectives of the SVO during the year.

The percentage of proved cases during investigation increased to over 90 per cent in 2006-2007 as against 35 per cent during 1997-2002 and about 65 during 2003-2005.

Out of 65 cases registered in 2005, investigation of 64 cases has already been completed, of which 42 have been produced in the court of law.

Similarly, out of 84 cases registered in 2006, investigation in 55 cases has been completed and 44 of them have been produced in the court, the spokesman elaborated.

Even out of 81 cases registered in 2007, 13 cases have already been challaned, he asserted.

The government, he disclosed, had accorded sanction for prosecution in 68 cases against 105 officials, including 30 Gazetted.

An estimated loss of over Rs 15 crore to the exchequer was registered in a number of cases related to the misappropriation of government funds in works, the spokesman said.

UNI VBH-VJ GL DS1553