Power misuse slur against MRB official

By A Staff Reporter

IMPHAL | Aug 28

A former branch manager of Manipur Rural Bank (MRB) Yairipok branch has lodged a complaint to chairman and managing director CDM UBI, Kolkata against the chairman of MRB alleging partiality and misuse of official powers and position.

The complainant L. Joychandra Singh, in his letter, drew the attention of the CDM to initiate appropriate action against the MRB chairman, Bimol.

According to Joychandra, he was put under suspension on December 9, 2010 for alleged misappropriation of over Rs. 46 lakhs. The decision to conduct a departmental enquiry against him was taken on September 8, 2011 and the enquiry started on February 2, 2012.

Although the enquiry lasted for several years the enquiry officer reportedly prepared a report without taking Joychandra’s statement and submitted the same to disciplinary authority on October 11, 2016.

Subsequently, on December 3, 2016 the final order was issued on the quantum of punishment to be given to Joychandra without giving any prior notice to him and made him to take force retirement.

Interestingly, it is learnt that the enquiry has failed to fix any financial liabilities on Joychandra despite having forcing to retire.

After Joychandra’s suspension, from Yairipok branch one Th. Gourabi Singh was posted as the manager in December 2010.

Gourabi being a local man allegedly disbursed huge amount of loan and advances to his relatives without proper investigation and verification thereby creating huge amount of NPA (non-performing assets).

Then in 2013 he fraudulently issued D-call receipts to K. Meghachandra Singh local MLA amounting to several lakhs. This came to the knowledge of the head office. But no action was taken against him and promptly transfered to Kumbi branch. There were also many scandals surfaced and no action was taken against him showing flexibility and tolerance.

It is learnt that he has given a sum of Rs. one lakh to the then chairman for cover-up which is a case of misuse of official power and position as disciplinary authority.

The branch Manager MRB, Bimol was also caught by vigilance department for fraudulently issuing bank guarantee bonds amounting approximately Rs. 6.47 crores to one of the special contractors.

Despite his denial Bimol was suspended on September 3, 2016 by the head office.

Subsequently, an order issued designating senior manager (Adv. And Rec.) A. Brajeshwar Sharma to investigate the matter, who found the allegations correct and submitted the report to the head office.

To everyone’s anticipation for stern action, Bimol’s suspension order was revoked on August 18 last without any action.

 “I have been punished for what somebody has done and blame it to me resulting out of partial and biased enquiry violating the principles of natural justice and fair play”, lamented the former manager.

Moreover, he revealed that a case is also pending with the High Court for deprivation of full benefit of retirement policy.

“I accepted the forced retirement not in the sense that I am guilty but I am fed up to work under such kind of governance and it would be suffocating for seniors like me to continue further”, he added.

Noting the alleged partiality and irregularities, violating the principle he appealed the higher authority to take appropriate action failing which he threatens to complaint the matter to department of financial and CBI anti-corruption cell.