‘Gross embezzlement’ in DITS funds

It has been found that Rs 40,43,158 is transferred to other offices from DITS funds,without necessary adjustments. Out of this,Rs 31,45,000 is transferred to District Red Cross Society,which is the maximum amount.

The audit report adds,“The amount of public money which was transferred from DITS accounts was for short duration,but this amount seems to have been outstanding since long,which resulted in loss of public money as well as interest thereon.

“Necessary responsibility must be fixed against the appropriate officer for negligence of duties and step should be taken to recover the loss of public money on account of interest for utilisation of public money for long duration.” bulk deposit without details

“The general principle of accounts is that the amount of cash is entered on receipts side of cash book along with voucher number and detail of amounts received ie cash receipt number,cheque number,draft number and any other reference.

The amount so received in the office was to be taken in books of accounts ie cash book on the day of its receipts and same was to be deposited on the next day or alternate day of the receipt,” says the audit.

It adds,“But during the course of audit it was observed that the huge amount of District Informatics Technology Society account have been kept with the official for a long interval and the amount in bulk was deposited.

The concerned offices have failed to give detail of the amount so deposited in bulk.”

As per audit,amount of Rs 20,74,355 which was deposited between October 23,2010 to March 17,2011 within a short period and without any details smells of heavy embezzlements and mis-utilisation of funds. The audit report adds,“It is a gross negligence on the part of the controlling officer.”

Unofficial receipt books

“During the audit it has been observed that the offices used the receipt books which were not issued officially by the DITS office Headquarters,” says the report. It adds that no proper stock register was maintained to authenticate the official receipt books to be used by concerned offices against collection of money from public. It further says,“ During the audit necessary clarification from the concerned offices ( SDO (C) Kalka and Sub Tehsil Barwala) was required,but no proper justification was provided to audit,which prove gross irregularity/misappropriation by the official/officer concerned.” It also suggested that “responsibilities may be fixed against the officer/official for negligence in their duties for non- maintainance of books of accounts/cash book”.

Non-production of record

“Non-production of record to audit is a serious matter which seem to have been made with intention to withhold some mis-utilisation of public money which need necessary disciplinary action against the concerned officer /official at fault…,” states the audit report. Deputy Commissioner,Ashima Brar,said,“I had ordered this audit,Definitely action will be taken. It is an internal audit. More investigations can be ordered.”