Pension Scam Exposes Rs 2 Crores Loss to State Exchequer

Pension Scam Exposes Rs 2 Crores Loss to State Exchequer

Asif Iqbal | October 1, 2023 | 08:59 AM IST | Breaking News, Jammu Kashmir | Follow on Google News

Pension Scam Exposes Rs 2 Crores Loss to State Exchequer.

A significant pension scam, leading to a loss of approximately Rs 2 crores to the State exchequer, has recently come to light within the Accountant General (AG) Office in the region. This scandal has raised questions about the security of pension disbursements and the integrity of the system.

Employee’s Devious Scheme Unveiled

The scam revolves around the cunning actions of an AG Office employee named Harkesh Meena. Meena, in cahoots with two retired AG Office employees and certain treasury officials, is alleged to have employed forged signatures and dispatch numbers to process pension cases that were not eligible for disbursement.

A Whistleblower’s Discovery

The scheme began to unravel when Rajaji Saproo, an AG Office employee stationed at the Vijaypur treasury in Samba District, detected irregularities in September. He noticed that his own signatures had been falsified to process and withdraw the pension of Dhian Singh. Swiftly recognizing these discrepancies, Saproo reported the matter to the AG Office in Jammu, triggering an internal investigation.

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The Unraveling of the Scheme

Upon a thorough internal inquiry, the AG Office discovered that Harkesh Meena had been maintaining records of pensioners and using the IDs and forged signatures of colleagues, including Rajaji Saproo, to process these unlawful pension cases. The involvement of retired AG Office employees and treasury officials added complexity to the scandal.

Suspensions and Legal Action

In response to these findings, the AG Office suspended Harkesh Meena and transferred the case to Bakshi Nagar Police Station for a more in-depth investigation. The roles of the two retired AG Office employees and certain treasury employees are also under scrutiny.

Seeking Central Agency Intervention

Given the substantial loss incurred by the State exchequer due to the fraudulent actions of these employees, Bakshi Nagar Police Station has requested higher authorities to transfer the case to central agencies for a comprehensive inquiry.

Wider Implications

This incident is not an isolated one. Similar pension fraud cases have been reported from various parts of the Union Territory, particularly Srinagar. In these cases, departmental employees allegedly collaborated with treasury officials to process pensions using forged signatures and dispatch numbers. Shockingly, some pensions were even withdrawn on behalf of deceased government employees.

Asif Iqbal

Asif Iqbal is a seasoned news writer with a passion for delivering the latest updates to the public. Currently serving as the senior writer at VoM News, a prominent news outlet known for its comprehensive coverage of diverse topics, Asif has established himself as a reliable source of information. With a keen eye for detail and a knack for storytelling, he consistently provides readers with well-crafted articles that cover a wide range of news categories. His dedication to journalistic integrity and his commitment to staying ahead of the news curve make him an invaluable asset to Vom News, ensuring that readers are always well-informed on the issues that matter most. You can find his work and stay updated on current events by visiting vomnews.in.