THE 15th report of Public Accounts Committee (PAC) tabled in Maharashtra Legislative Assembly on November 11, by PAC chairman BJP MLA Girish Bapat from Pune has pointed out that the massive corruption in the Rs 3750/- crore Prime Minister Relief Package for distressed Vidarbha farmers resulted in its failure and also suggested very stern action under Indian penal code against all erring officers involved in the implementation of relief packages announced to stop farmers suicides in western Vidarbha, Kishore Tiwari of Vidarbha Jan Andolan Samiti (VJAS), informed.
The 15 report of (PAC) has blamed irrigation department, agriculture department and co-operative banks for siphoning out thousands crore by the complete understanding of concern ministers and executives in the top end of government in Mantralaya.
Some of the officers who were involved in irregularities and corruption of thousands of crore have taken voluntary retirement from State Government service with due consent of the concern minister. All contracts or supply orders of relief work and materials were fabricated and most of the money was diverted to the minister, contractors and officers even after PAC asked for immediate action till date there is no action against the officers or the banks, PAC report added.
The 15th report of PAC has expressed shock and displeasure over the extreme apathy of executive to provide ex-gratia aid to the next kin of deceased farmers. In some cases bribe was demanded from the kin of deceased farmers who committed suicide to make illegible for the aid. This is sheer apathy and indicates inefficient functionary in administration, PAC said in the report.
PAC has asked Government to arrange for the detail probe in all the cases of irregularities and malpractices in relief packages and in providing ex-gratia and to take stringent action against those already found guilty. ATR should be submitted to Public accounts committee (PAC),it recommended.
Vidarbha Jan Andolan Samiti (VJAS), farmers advocacy group who have already lodged complaints against on going massive corruption in farmers relief packages, now urged government to tale stern action against all concern ministers and officers involved in the corruption, Kishore Tiwari of Vidarbha Jan Andolan Samiti (VJAS), informed the media.
