Four JK health deptt officials booked for embezzling funds

Four officials of the Jammu and Kashmir health department were booked today in connection with alleged embezzlement of public funds worth over Rs 23 lakh.
"The Vigilance Organisation, Kashmir registered a case on the outcome of verification conducted into the allegations of embezzlement of Rs 17 lakh during the year 2009-10 by the then Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of Budgam and others out of funds allotted under office expenditure," a spokesman of the organisation said here.
As per the verification conducted by the Vigilance Organisation, CMO Budgam Mohammad Abdullah Bhat and cashier Nissar Ahmad hatched a criminal conspiracy with the then Block Medical Officers of Khag and Charar-i-Sharief and prepared false bills in respect of various purchases and repairing works, causing a loss of Rs 11,78,240 to the state exchequer.

"It has also been revealed that an amount of Rs 8,01,990 was found withdrawn by the then CMO, cashier, BMO Khag Bashir Ahmad Khan and BMO Char-i-Sharief Mohammad Iqbal Bhat during the year 2009-2010 on the account of repairing departmental vehicles which was never done," the spokesman said.
The vigilance officials also found that installation of a LED hoarding and production of some short films were placed with a media group without any competition.
"Besides the payment for the contract, the firm made an additional demand of Rs 68,750 on the account of excess duration of the short film. The accused CMO along with his cashier disbursed an amount of Rs 1,57,000 to the firm and in this manner, a clear excess payment of Rs 88,250 was illegally and fraudulently made to the firm," the spokesperson said.

"In addition, withdrawal of Rs 50,000 was effected fraudulently on the account of purchase of medicines on the occasion of Moharam-ul-Haram by the accused CMO. Further an amount of Rs 2,38,000 was also withdrawn on account of fake bills of T.A (travelling allowance) and purchase of miscellaneous articles," he said.
Investigation into the case has been initiated, he added.