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Journalism of Courage
PATNA, SEPTEMBER 27: Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Laloo Prasad Yadav’s idea to distribute woolen cloths among the poor has now become a headache for the Patna district administration. A Patna lower court has issued orders to attach the District Magistrate’s (DM) residence and his office for recovering funds from the government.
Three years ago, Laloo had directed the then District Magistrate Raj Bala Verma to arrange for the distribution of blankets and other woolen material to the poor. Following Laloo’s orders, Verma purchased blankets worth Rs 40 lakh from Girija Khadi Bhavan, Girija Khadi Pratisthan and Lakshmi Traders. But the shops were not paid.
When they failed to get their money, the traders approached the court. The court directed the authorities to serve notice and recover the money from the DM, since the purchases were made by the DM’s office. Attachment notice has been pasted on the walls of the office. Sources, however, maintain that the DM office is not in a position to clear the payment. It may move the suitable court for quashing of the order.
Verma while abiding by the instructions of Laloo, did not obtain the sanction of the state social welfare board and finance department. However, she managed to pay Rs 20 lakh at that time. Even the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has raised objections on the purchase and the opposition leader Sushil Mody has alleged misappropriation of funds in the deal.
The CAG report castigated the district administration for not issuing tenders inviting bidders.
