Acting soft towards irregularities, MC fails to recover Rs 30 lakh from scams

Keeping soft approach towards the irregularities, the municipal corporation (MC) has failed to recover an amount of rs 30 lakh from different scams took place between 1994 and 2007.

Also the civic body has failed to take action against the officials guilty in different cases of irregularities since 1976.

As the MC had not taken any disciplinary action in 10 cases of scams, many of the officials concerned have either retired or passed away but the objections were raised on these cases in the audit reports.

During the audit of the record from years 1994-2007, it was found that scams of Rs 30.07 lakh took place, but this amount has not been recovered till now as per the report. The audit teams had multiple times recommended to the MC to take required steps, but it failed to do the same as per the audit report of 2013-14, which was prepared recently.

The fresh audit report was also sent to the local bodies department recommending required action, so that the amount of scams can be recovered.

Besides, 10 scams of Rs 1.5 lakh had come to light since 1976, but action was never taken against the guilty employees or officials concerned. In some cases, the amount of scam was less than Rs 1,000, but MC did not set any example by taking disciplinary action against the employees who were responsible for it.

Sources said MC is already struggling to improve its financial condition, but it can only be done if it takes strict measures against irregularities.

Member of the Ludhiana West Sub-Division Grievances Redressal Committee Satish Thaman said, “If any scam has taken place, the authorities should take the matter seriously. The MC should set example by taking strict action against the guilty officials. The MC should start process to recover the amount of scams.”

Thaman said a special investigation team should be formed by the state government to check the irregularities in the MC, and it should be ensured that there would be no misuse of civic body's exchequer, he added.

Additional commissioner Ghanshyam Thori said the MC would look into the matter.