State Bank of India customers of Sadiya ‘duped’ and cheated

Our Correspondent

TINSUKIA: Several hundred State Bank of India (SBI) customers of Sadiya in Tinsukia district have been duped and cheated of several lakhs of rupees by a Chapakhowa-based Customer Service Point (CSP) /Grahak Seva Kendra that came to light recently.

According to information, the in-charge of the centre, Hari Uppadhayya, allegedly in connivance with a section of SBI staff posted at Chapakhowa branch, swindled the amount in a phased manner. The CSP in Chapakhowa is being run by a Patna-based outsourcing agency, Sanjivani Vikash Foundation (SVF).

The regional office of SBI Tinsukia appointed a designated officer to inquire into the matter after FIRs were lodged. The main accused, Upadhayya reportedly went underground after shutting down the CSP. The SBI officials at Chapakhowa assured the customers of paying back the lost amount. Similar type of fraudulent transaction was also committed at the CSP under Dangori branch of SBI in which the SBI repaid the amount recently.

The Chief Manager CS and CM of Regional SBI Tinsukia told The Sentinel that the customers who lost their deposit at Sadiya need not worry about their savings as money would be returned to them after inquiry was over. He, however, evaded the queries as to which organization would refund the money-SBI at the cost of public exchequer or the outsourcing agency SVF that employed dubious people into its organization?

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