Employee Corner
Misappropriation of Government Money of Rs 8.31 crores by SPM
Misappropriation of Government Money of Rs 8.31 crores by SPM
A recent incident involving the misappropriation of government funds amounting to ₹8.31 crores by Shri K. Naresh Kumar, the former Sub-Postmaster (SPM) of Chintapalli SO under Bhongir HO of Telangana Circle, has prompted a detailed examination by the Ministry of Communications, Department of Posts. This article outlines the findings and recommendations from the CEPT and TCS to prevent such occurrences in the future.
Ref-
- Vigilance Division note no. 4-80ffL02/2020-Inv dated 15.02.2024 & email dated 16.05.2024.
- CEPT letter no. CEPT-TI/Misc/Dlgs/vol-11 dated 22.04.2024, email dated 12.05.2024, 21.05.2024 & 22.05.2024.
- TCS email dated 10.05.2024, 20.05.2024 & 21.05.2024.
Key Findings
- CEPT Observations and Recommendations:
- Automation and Monitoring: The current hybrid environment (IT 2.0 in Branch Offices and IT 1.0 in Administrative Offices) lacks full automation, necessitating close monitoring of remittances and acknowledgments.
- Inspection Questionnaire: Incorporate relevant questions related to preventive vigilance in inspection questionnaires.
- TCS Observations and Recommendations:
- Fraudulent Activities: Intentional and fraudulent activities were identified, including fictitious remittances and misuse of payment systems.
- Lack of Acknowledgment: Failure to acknowledge cash receipts and fraudulent entries in the system were noted.
- Manual Accounting Entries: Unauthorized manual entries were made using credentials of retired personnel.
- Access Control: Emphasized the importance of revoking access for non-departmental staff and regular review of user roles.
Recommended Actions
- Enhanced Monitoring and Automation:
- Ensure close monitoring of remittances and acknowledgments until full automation is achieved.
- Communicate the necessity of these measures to all circles to reinforce preventive vigilance.
- Inspection Questionnaire Updates:
- Integrate pertinent questions into inspection questionnaires to identify and prevent similar cases of misappropriation.
- Access Control and Role Management:
- Immediate revocation of access for superannuated or deputed employees.
- Frequent review of user roles to prevent unauthorized access and manual entries.
Conclusion
The detailed examination and subsequent recommendations from CEPT and TCS aim to strengthen the preventive vigilance measures within the Department of Posts. By implementing enhanced monitoring, updating inspection protocols, and managing access controls effectively, the risk of misappropriation can be significantly reduced.
