The Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB), as part of its ongoing anti-corruption drive, has arrested Harjit Singh, ex- Sarpanch of village Kalia, and Manjit Singh, Lambardar of village Sakatra in Tarn Taran district for committing embezzlement of Rs 20 lakh from compensation funds meant for farmers and others affected by floods.
Disclosing this here today a VB spokesperson said the arrests were made following an investigation into a complaint filed by Harnand Singh, who had served as Sarpanch of cillage Kalia until 2019. During the verification of the complaint it was found that the accused had fraudulently opened bank accounts in the names of beneficiaries, including ineligible individuals, in connivance with bank officials.
They then withheld the beneficiaries’ account documents, enabling them to withdraw and misappropriate the relief funds released by the Punjab government.The spokesperson further revealed that the state authorities had sanctioned Rs 30 lakh as compensation for damage caused to the crops etc. However, the accused had embezzled Rs 20,11,475 lakh from the total amount.
He informed that a case has been registered against both accused under the Prevention of Corruption Act at the VB police station, Amritsar range. They would be produced before the competent court tomorrow, and further investigations are being carried out by the VB Unit, Tarn Taran.
Tarn Taran