IMPHAL, June 25: Raising a Motion for Disapproval of Policy Cut during discussion on the demand for Panchayat at the ongoing Assembly session today, Opposition leader, Dr I Ibohalbi Singh demanded legal punitive action against an official of the Bishnupur District who has siphoned off Rs 1.60 crore from the total amount deducted for investment in insurance policy from the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme job card holders.
An official of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj said that he would invest in insurance policy for the MGNREGS job card holders of Bishnupur District in 2009, the MLA informed the floor of the House.
Subsequently, the official deducted Rs 756 each from the wages of job card holders so as to invest in the Birla Sunlight Insurance for them, he said while adding that the deducted amount is the total of six days wages of the job card holders whose wage is Rs 126 per day.
The official deducted Rs 756 each from the wages of all the job card holders of Bishnupur District with a total amount collected of about Rs 2.70 crore, he pointed out.
When the cards holders who were made to be insured inquired about the insurance, they found that Rs 174 only each was deposited in their accounts which were opened in the insurance company, he said.
That means that the official has siphoned off Rs 582 each from the job card holders making a total of Rs 1.60 crore, he added.
MLA Dr. I Ibohalbi Singh further said it is learnt that the Deputy Commissioner of Bishnupur District (DC) is conducting an investigation into this matter. Some among the said job card holders have passed away, he pointed out.
Seven to eight persons complained to the MLA himself that some amount of money due to be given by the insurance company was paid off to some among the said job card holders who passed away while some were not paid, he said.
He drew the attention of the House and the concerned Minister to bring the official to book.