2 computers sent to lab over stubble relief fraud
Strap: Systems seized from 2 Jalalabad shops after fake entries
Fazilka, November 18
With an alleged fraud coming to light of claiming compensation worth crores of rupees in lieu of not burning stubble by making fake entries, the authorities today sent two computer terminals to the forensic science laboratory in Chandigarh for examination.
The computers were seized from two private photostat shops at Jalalabad town on November 15 after a case was registered against unidentified persons under Sections 420 (fraud), IPC, and 66 (computer-related offences), IT Act.
SDM Keshav Goyal said the amount of fraud would be ascertained once the entries were verified by the government.
Certain individuals got hold of the ID and password of the government website allegedly in connivance with officials and started making fake entries by showing beneficiaries as farmers who had not burnt stubble.
The entries were made under the Punjab Government scheme for providing financial assistance of Rs 2,500 per acre to those farmers who do not burn stubble and manage it on their own.
The compensation amount was transferred by the government to the accounts of “fake applicants” within hours of filling of forms. As the word spread, a large number of people rushed to the two shops — Kachura Photostat and Bajaj Photostat, where the forms were allegedly being uploaded.
On getting information, the police confiscated the computer terminals from the shops and arrested the owners.
City Police SHO Lekh Raj Batti, the investigating officer, said certain individuals got hold of the ID and password of the cooperative department in connivance with government officials and allegedly made hundreds of fake entries.
Fazilka DC Manpreet Singh Chhatwal said those involved in the scam would not be spared. According to the compensation policy, small and marginal farmers who did not burn paddy residue in their fields were to fill prescribed pro forma and hand it over the sarpanch for verification. After attestation, the pro forma was to be deposited with the office of Block Development and Panchayat Officer.
The BDPO office was to send it to the officials concerned of the cooperative department who were to upload it to the government website, after which the amount was to be transferred to the accounts of beneficiaries, the DC said.
Police officials were tightlipped about the outcome of the inquiry, saying investigation was on.
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Officials approving cases warned
Muktsar: Deputy Commissioner MK Aravind Kumar has warned officials engaged in the exercise of compensating farmers to work diligently or face criminal action. “If any ineligible farmer gets the relief money, a criminal case will be registered against officers who recommend/approve such name. All farmers fulfilling the criteria may submit their self-declaration forms to village panchayats,” he said.
