A District Programme Officer at Saran district has been put on the probe as financial operations exceeding Rs 2.51 crore were made during his 32-month service in Bihar despite his pay being Rs 27.43 lakh.
The District Programme Officer (Secondary Education, Planning and Accounts) Ajit Amar has been accused of having assets exceeding his sources of income. The case of his money has been looked into by a five-member inquiry committee which has reported it to the District Magistrate who has turned it over to the Bihar Education Department for further action.
During the investigation period, more than Rs 2.51 crore was channeled into the bank accounts of Ajit Amar and his wife, says the investigation report. Investigators also discovered that he had bought about Rs 41.5 lakh worth of nearly 120 kattahs of land in Ekma in the name of his wife. Plus, the report also refers to the building of a house which is said to be worth several lakhs.
The probe was launched after a contractor alleged the officer had been demanding payment for issuing no tickets for official work. In the course of the investigation, the officials examined the bank transactions and financial documents and property records, which provided the link to the supposed discrepancies.
The inquiry panel has urged a detailed examination of the officer’s financial dealings, as well as his wife’s and other family members’ finances. It has also asked banks and other government departments for records on the source of the funds as well as investigating any irregularities in the process.
The District Education Officer confirmed that the enquiry report has been forwarded to the State Head Quarters. It will now be left to the Bihar government to whether or not to engage in departmental and legal actions on the basis of this investigation. The issue is still being investigated.