BHubaneswar: The writing department (DOP) under the Ministry of Communication on Friday said the total fraud of Rs 2.44 Crore has been revealed in Lachipeta, Colony Malkangiri and Post Office Bhejangida from the Coraput Division in the state.
When overcoming the press, DOP Secretary Vineet Pandey said two postmaster had been suspended by the department after detection of fraud.
The department has reported fraud at the Colony Lachipeta and Malkangiri Post Office to the Investigation Bureau (CBI).
The Investigation Agency has submitted FIR against Podiami Biswanath Postmaster.
Mana Pujari, the Post Office Post Office Bhejagiwada was arrested by police under various parts of the IPC.
“Both the CBI and the police were asked to complete their investigation quickly.
The direction has been issued for the attachment of the properties of the main defendants and their family members,” said the official DOP communication.
The official source said Pujari was suspected of transferring Depositors of Rs 35 Lakh to the KIN account illegally.
Thus Podiami has thought of attracting RS 2.09 Crore in the same way.
They also wrongly deposit money in depositors and transferring it to their family members or close contact.
Communication Minister Union Ashwini Vaishnaw learned about this issue during its coraput visit on August 21.
He asserted strict action against post office employees who were allegedly involved in misuse of public money.
He has also directed officials to complete the problem investigation within 30 days.
Acting in the direction of the Minister, DOP has completed an investigation of the department at the Lachipeta Post Office material.
“Initial investigations in two other cases have been completed.
Detailed investigations are taking place in these cases and will be completed in one month.
The main penalty proceedings are beginning against the main actors,” Pandey said.
He said strict actions would be taken against all the others whose weakness had facilitated this fraud.
Suvendu Swain, Head of Postmaster General, Odisha, said the postmaster committed fraud during the Covid period taking advantage of the situation when physical verification was lacking.
Swain said they had received complaints of five deposits involving Rs 1.25 lakh so far.
“We have asked depositors from three post offices to file their complaints.
We will complete all original claims within 30 days according to the standard operating procedure issued by DOP,” he added.