New Delhi: Acting on the instructions of Communication Ashwini Vaishnaw, the Postal Department has initiated action against the persons involved in Odisha fraud cases worth Rs 2.44 Cr.
During the visit to Koraput on August 21, three fraud cases of Lachipeta, Malkangiri Colony and Bhejangiwada Post Offices of Koraput Division were brought to the notice of Minister Mr.Vaishnaw by the members of public and the media.
Secretary of Department of Posts, Ministry of Communications, Vineet Pandey on Friday took a high-level meeting to review the case. “There will be no compromise on public trust in postal system and the system will be continuously strengthened to avert the cases of corruption and fraud”, he said.
Speaking at a press conference, Mr.Pandey, informed about the pro-active action of the department in dealing with the fraud cases which surfaced recently in Odisha. Vinaya Prakash Singh, Senior DDG (Vigilance) & Chief Vigilance Officer and other senior officials of the Department of Posts attended the conference. Chief Postmaster General, Odisha, Suvendu Swain too joined the conference from Odisha virtually.
Pandey informed that taken together an amount of Rs 2.44 crores is involved in all these cases. All the concerned Postmasters have already been placed under suspension.
The frauds at Lachipeta and Malkangiri Colony Post Offices committed by Biswanath Podiami have been reported to Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which has registered FIR against him.
Mana Pujari, Branch Postmaster of Bhejangiwada BO has been arrested by the police and booked under Sections 408, 409, 420, 468, 471 and 473 of IPC.
The CBI and police authorities have been asked to complete their investigation quickly. Directions have been issued for attachment of the properties of the main accused and their family members, he informed.
The departmental investigation has already been completed in Lachipeta Post office. Preliminary investigations in other two cases have been completed by the Department and a detailed investigation is in progress and would be completed within one month.
Major penalty proceedings are being initiated against the primary offenders. Strict action would be taken against all others whose laxity has facilitated these frauds, the Secretary assured.
Action has been initiated to obtain the claims from the affected members of the public. All genuine claims would be settled within 30 days in accordance with Standard Operating Procedure issued by the Department of Posts.