Congress seeks CBI probe into alleged Rs 600-crore financial irregularities in MP govt

Bhopal, Aug 26 (IANS) The Madhya Pradesh Congress on Wednesday demanded a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the alleged financial irregularities of around Rs 600 crore in the state government treasury system, claiming the matter involved 59 departments and raised serious questions over the state’s financial controls.

Former Minister and State Congress Media In-charge Mukesh Nayak addressing a press conference alleged that the government funds were transferred to private bank accounts and said the probe should be conducted independently under the supervision of a Supreme Court judge.

The Congress leader claimed that around 400 people had faced FIRs in connection with the alleged irregularities and said the number of departments under investigation had increased from 24 initially to 59.

“If these figures are correct, this is not a lapse by one office or a few employees, but points to a major systemic failure,” Nayak said.

He added that the state government should explain how bank accounts meant for government payments were allegedly changed and how money from the state Treasury reached private accounts.

According to Nayak, around Rs 55 crore of government funds was allegedly transferred to private accounts, while transactions involving nearly Rs 305 crore were also under suspicion.

He questioned that who authorised changes in bank account details, who was responsible for passwords in the digital system and at what level the alleged payments were approved.

The Congress leader also questioned whether the prescribed procedure for preparing and allocating the state budget was followed in the cases under investigation.

Nayak said the state government should disclose details of the departments involved, the accounts to which the money was allegedly transferred and the action taken against officials responsible for monitoring the system.

He also sought details of the state government’s reported recovery of Rs 220 crore out of an alleged irregularity of around Rs 380 crore.

“If the government claims that Rs 220 crore has been recovered, it should make public the complete date-wise, department-wise and account-wise details of the recovery and state how much money is still pending,” he said.

Nayak added that the investigation should also examine whether the allegedly diverted government funds were used to purchase land, houses, vehicles or other assets.

The Congress demanded that accountability should not be restricted to lower-level employees and that senior officials responsible for supervision of the financial system should also be investigated.

–IANS

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