Chandigarh. A big case of misuse of Smart City Project funds has come to light in the city. The Economic Offenses Wing (EOW) of Chandigarh Police has registered an FIR in the case of 11 fake fixed deposits (FD) worth about Rs 108 crore related to the Smart City Fund in the Municipal Corporation. This revelation has heated up the politics of the city.
Investigation has revealed that Chandigarh Municipal Corporation had removed its account from a government bank and transferred it to IDFC Bank. Out of the remaining amount of Rs 114 crore of Smart City Project, 11 FDs worth Rs 108 crore were made in this bank. Suspicious role: In the FIR, the role of some bank employees, municipal corporation personnel and an outsourced employee of a smart city company has been considered suspicious.
Situation of negligence: It is alleged that these FDs were never examined physically or at the official level and this matter worth crores remained limited to the files only.
Chandigarh Pradesh Congress Committee President H.S. Lucky has made a scathing attack on the ruling party regarding this matter. He said:
“This is a direct betrayal of the people of the city. The Municipal Corporation is already facing financial crunch and salary crisis of the employees. In such a situation, the disappearance or fraud of Rs 108 crore shows the failure of the administration.”
Lucky has demanded a high-level and impartial investigation into the case and has said that the culprits should be sent to jail.
This being an election year for Chandigarh Municipal Corporation, this scam of Rs 108 crore has become a big issue in the hands of the opposition. It is believed that there will be a huge uproar on this topic in the upcoming House meeting. The police are now investigating whether this amount has already been withdrawn from the bank or an attempt was made to embezzle only through paper manipulation.
Amount of scam: Rs 108 crore.
Fake documents: 11 suspicious FDs.
Bank: IDFC Bank.
Case registered: Cheating and criminal conspiracy (by EOW).
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