Department of Posts detects misappropriation of Rs 2.44 crore of depositors’ cash in Odisha

By Express News Service

BHUBANESWAR: Days after Union Minister for Communications, IT, and Railways Ashwini Vaishnaw ordered to finish the probe into embezzlement inside a month, the Department of Posts (DoP) has detected misappropriation of Rs 2.44 crore of depositors’ cash in three department put up places of work in Odisha.

Secretary of DoP Vineet Pandey mentioned the fraud has been detected at Lachipeta, Malkangiri Colony, and Bhejangiwada put up places of work underneath the Koraput division.

“The branch postmaster of Bhejangiwada post office siphoned off Rs 35 lakh instead of depositing the amount in the accounts of depositors while the postmaster in charge of Lachipeta and Malkangiri Colony post offices withdrew Rs 2.09 crore of deposited money through fraudulent ways. This case has been handed over to CBI,” he advised reporters on Friday.

Panday mentioned the postmasters involved have been underneath suspension and the department postmaster of Bhejangiwada put up workplace Mana Pujari was booked underneath varied sections of IPC and arrested.

“The CBI probing the Lachipeta and Malkangiri Colony case has been asked to complete the investigation as quickly as possible. Directions have been issued for attachment of properties of the main accused and their family members,” he knowledgeable.

ALSO READ | 12.95 lakh folks missed their second COVID vaccine shot in Odisha

Acting promptly on the instructions of the Minister, the departmental investigation has been accomplished within the Lachipeta put up workplace, and the Department has performed preliminary investigations within the different two instances. It will probably be accomplished by September 20, Pandey mentioned.

Chief Postmaster General of Odisha Suvendu Swain mentioned all real claims will probably be settled inside 30 days in accordance with the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) issued by the Department of Posts.

“So far, we have received complaints from five depositors. We have appealed depositors of the three branch offices to come forward and lodge complaints so that their claims can be expedited,” he added.

The Union Minister had sought the report from the postal division after a gaggle of depositors whose cash was misappropriated made a illustration to him throughout his go to to Koraput on August 21 as a part of four-day Jan Ashirwad Yatra.

Unsatisfied with the response of in-charge senior postal superintendent Tarini Charan Padhi over the progress within the inside inquiry, Vaishnaw had directed him to submit the report inside a month and warned stern motion towards the postal employees concerned within the misappropriation.