SHILLONG, NOV 27: The Civil Society Women’s Organization (CSWO) has sought police action against the alleged misappropriation of funds by the Voluntary Health Association of Meghalaya (VHAM) while implementing the targeted intervention projects in the state.
In an FIR filed with the Laitumkhrah police station, CSWO chief Agnes Kharshiing said, “…therefore in the interest of justice it is urged that an investigation is carried out to bring to book those who are involved in this criminal conspiracy and putting at risk the lives of injecting drugs users (IDUs), cheating the government of public funds by inflated data by manipulation, inflation of clients, forgery, malpractices etc.”
This was following an RTI finding which revealed that the VHAM had allegedly embezzled an amount to the tune of Rs 39.91 lakh sanctioned by the National AIDS Control Society (NACO).
She informed that as per the RTI, the VHAM has its bank account in Corporation Bank, Kesamon Building, Laitumkhrah, bearing account number 101200101000965, and payments have been made to K Chyrmang and Lucky Bareh, for the procurement of Needles and syringes by VHAM from 26/04/2010 till 12/09/2011 and from 10/01/2012 to 15/05/2017.
It is also revealed that an amount of Rs 39, 91,655 has been paid to two persons K Chyrmang and Lucky Bareh from 26/04/2010 till 12/09/2011 and from 10/01/2012 to 15/05/2017.
But according to the report details of only K Chyrmang was mentioned who does not own any Pharmacy but is using fake cash memos bearing Licence Number JH/395-396-397 which according to the report belongs to one N Khonglah, she said in the FIR.
She added that the bank statement shows an amount of Rs 30,92,985 has been paid to Kordor Chyrmang and an amount of Rs 8,98,770 has been paid to Lucky Bareh who has also supplied fake bills.
Further quoting the report, Kharshiing said that the Project Manager of VHAM Jowai, submitted the licences of Ram Passah, Proprietor of M/S R T Remedy Pharmacy, Ialong, West Jaintia Hills (Licence No JH/395-396-397) dt: 2nd June 2017 and M/S K. C. 12 Dolloi Pharmacy , KNB Road, Jowai, Jaintia Hills, (Licence No JH/395-396-397) dt : February 2012 of the same proprietor to support the claims of purchased Needles Syringes (NS) from this shop, but all payments of procurements of NS are paid to one Kordor Chyrmang and they tried to locate the shop of M/S K Chyrmang , 12 Dolloi Pharmacy , KNB Road, Jowai, Jaintia Hills but they could not locate but they found out there was another 12 Dolloi Pharmacy, KNB Road, Jowai, but owner is N Khonglah.
Furthermore the report states there was no mention of expiry date, name of supplier of needles and syringes in the register and proper certification of bills was not done.
“This indicates a wider involvement of others, as monthly visits is conducted by ADTI of Meghalaya Aids Control Society (MACS) yet the anomalies were not detected and there was inflation of active NS population and distribution of expired syringes,” she said.
“These amounts to cheating and a criminal intent to put at harm the lives of individual’s depending on those who have taken the task to protect affected communities and control Aids,” she added.
In a final report of August 30 and September 1, filed by the visiting team to Jowai, Wilson Dohling, (ADTI) MACS, Wallamtihun Hujon, Accountant- Meghalaya SACS and Glen Pyrtuh, Stores Officer- Meghalaya SACS, which is also availed through RTI from MACS, (Meghalaya Aids Control Society), Shillong, that there has been ‘manipulation’ ‘inflation of clients’ ‘Forgery’ ‘Malpractices’ whereby public stock had to be destroyed, which directly indicates cheating of public fund and loss of public property.
There was also indication that expired syringes have to be distributed to the IDUs(Injecting Drug users) putting at risk the lives of the IDUs who are to be medicated and provided clean syringes in Jowai and Lad Rymbai, she said
She also said that the report of the visiting team dated 30/8/2017 and 1/9/2017 has failed to mention the fake bills of Lucky Bareh but has clearly recommended the suspension of Rini W Pakma Project Manager and Dakapaia Bareh, Counsellor.
“There seem to be a deeper conspiracy to fraud the public funds and therefore cheat the State,” Kharshiing stated.
By Our Reporter
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