Two arrested for defalcation of Rs 20 lakh from flood relief funds
The Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) arrested Harjit Singh, ex-Sarpanch of Kalia village and Manjit Singh, Lambardar of Sakattra in Tarn Taran district, on the charge of embezzling Rs 20 lakh from funds meant for farmers affected by floods on Saturday.
A spokesperson for the Vigilance Bureau said the arrests were made following an investigation into a complaint filed by Harnand Singh, who had served as Sarpanch of Kalia village until 2019.
The accused had fraudulently opened bank accounts in the name of beneficiaries, including ineligible individuals, in connivance with bank officials. They then withheld the account documents of beneficiaries, enabling them to withdraw and misappropriate the relief funds released by the Punjab government. The state authorities had sanctioned Rs 30 lakh as compensation for damage caused to the crops etc. However, the accused had embezzled more than Rs 20 lakh from the total amount. He informed that a case has been registered against both the accused under the Prevention of Corruption Act at the Vigilance Bureau police station, Amritsar range. They would be produced before a competent court tomorrow. Meanwhile, further investigations are being carried out by the VB unit at Tarn Taran.
