Bedi orders vigilance inquiry into alleged misuse of PSU funds

Puducherry: Lieutenant governor Kiran Bedi has ordered a

vigilance

inquiry into the alleged misuse of funds of public sector undertakings (PSUs) by

offices

of

ministers

here. An RTI activist has claimed that the offices of the ministers used the funds of PSUs to furnish their offices and serve guests.

Rajiv Gandhi human rights awareness organization president P Ragupathy filed queries under the RTI Act seeking information on the use of funds of the PSUs by the offices of the ministers. Most of the PSUs barring two refused to provide information. The PSUs also declined information even after Ragupathy filed an appeal. He has now approached the Central information commission.

The public information officer of Pondicherry industries promotion, development and investment corporation (Pipidc) revealed that the office of revenue minister M O H F Shahjahan utilized Rs 3.16 lakh of Pipdic funds to procure sanitary and furniture items, vacuum cleaners, ladders, among others. Similarly, the PIO of Puducherry Adi Dravida development corporation (Padco) said the office of social welfare minister M Kandasamy utilized Rs 15,980 of Padco funds to meet petty expenses.

“Most of the offices of the ministers and PSUs have not furnished information even after an appeal. We fear that the offices of the ministers have been misusing the funds of the PSUs. The secretariats of the ministers must bear their expenses. Most of the PSUs are sick and are on the verge of a major financial crisis. They could not even pay salaries of their employees and pensios of the retired employees,” said Ragupathy.

The activist urged Bedi to initiate action against those responsible for the misuse of government funds. Bedi, while ordering the vigilance inquiry, assured stringent action against the culprits. “Whoever breaks rules is accountable. A vigilance

inquiry

has been ordered. Public officials who facilitate the violation of rules are accountable,” she said.