Fraud detected in utilisation of MP’s fund

BEGUSARAI: With the timely intervention of Balia JD(U) MP Ram Jiwan Singh, a fraud was not only detected but a big amount to the tune of around Rs 10 lakh belonging to MP’s Local Area Development Fund (LADF) was saved from being misused and misappropriated. According to the sources, the involvement of MP’s confidant and officials at the lower level cannot be ruled out.
According to official sources, Ram Jiwan Singh, in a letter to the Begusarai district magistrate K P Ramaiah denied that he had recommended any amount out of his local area development fund for the repairing works of Narayan Sinha High School at Mansurchak block of Begusarai district.
He demanded immediate cancellation of the letter carrying his fake signature recommending an amount of over Rs 10 lakh for the said purpose.
He also demanded an inquiry into the incident to punish the persons involved in it. According to reports, the director, district regional development authority (DRDA), Braj Kishore Pathak, on the advice of the DM (Letter no. 1398, dated August 22, 2002), ordered the executive engineer, rural development, special division, not only to refund Rs 8 lakh advanced to him for the repairing work of the school building but also to report under what circumstances the fraud has been committed.
Sources close to the office reveal that the advanced amount has been refunded and the investigation in this regard is on.
According to sources, someone close to the MP is in the habit of utilising his letter pad and seems to be involved in the racket.
Wishing anonymity, an official said that since there is no system or provision to preserve the signatures of the people’s representatives in the office and tally them when required, it becomes difficult to prevent fraud of this nature.
Despite repeated attempts, the MP Ram Jiwan Singh could not be contacted for his version. The DM, when contacted, replied that he had not only cancelled the scheme but also got the advanced amount refunded from the executing agency after he received the objection letter from the MP.
In reply to a question, the DM said that the case will be referred to the police but prior to that he will discuss the matter with the MP.
Meanwhile, the people of Mansurchak have urged the MP to release the sanctioned amount from his local area development fund as the roofs of the two rooms of the school have been demolished with a view to repair them.