Top IAS officer suspended

Irregularity in Handloom and Textiles department

By Our Staff Reporter

Guwahati, July 8: A senior IAS officer was today placed under suspension for not following the required procedure and stipulated conditions while according administrative approval and fincial sanction for a scheme, causing a liability of Rs 25 crore for the government.

Departmental proceedings are also being drawn against Commissioner & Secretary (Handloom and Textiles department) Dilip Borthakur who has been placed under suspension to facilitate a fair inquiry into the irregularity, according to a notification from the Governor.

In the year 2014-15, the Handloom & Textiles department had moved a proposal for procurement of printed polyster blankets, mercerized spliced bleached yards and cotton hank yarns under the Assam Bikash Yoja.

The Fince department, in its endorsement dated February 7 this year, had given concurrence to the sanction of administrative approval and fincial sanction for Rs 6000 lakh, but with certain conditions.

The Chief Minister had also accepted the proposal submitted by the Commissioner & Secretary (Handloom and Textiles department), seeking approval for the amount of Rs 35 crore – Rs 25 crore for State Specific Scheme and Rs 10 crore for Assam Bikash Yoja – for procurement of yarn and blankets.

However, Dilip Borthakur accorded administrative approval and fincial sanction for an amount of Rs 25 crore – Rs 15 crore for yarn and Rs 10 crore for blanket - and another Rs 10 crore for procurement of yarn under Assam Bikash Yoja without observing the required procedure and the conditions stipulated by the Fince department and violating the order of the Chief Minister.

The irregularity created a liability of Rs 25 crore for the government as the firm, roped in for the work, had supplied the materials in the meantime.