T. Pamei, on the other hand is charged of misappropriating government funds to tune of Rs 99.50 lakh meant for construction of tribal Boys Hostel when he was the director of the Tribal Affairs Hills and Schedule Castes Development Department.
Sunzu Bachaspatimayum
Close on the heels of a retired IAS officer being arrested in connection with misappropriation of public money, another IAS officer, the director-general of State Academy of Training (SAT) Manipur, Thaithuilung Pamei, has been taken into custody on similar charges by the ManipurVigilance and Anti-Corruption Department.
Retired IAS officer, Abujam Tombikanta Singh is charged with misappropriation of over Rs 2 crores of public money while awarding compensation to landowners affected by the expansion of Pallel-Moreh sector of the Trans-Asian-Highway when he was the commissioner of Tegnoupal district.
T. Pamei, on the other hand is charged of misappropriating government funds to the tune of Rs 99.50 lakh meant for construction of tribal Boys Hostel when he was the director of the Tribal Affairs Hills and Schedule Castes Development Department.
As per the report of the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption department, an amount of Rs. 99.50,000 was approved for the construction of Tribal Boys Hostel at Kabo Leikai, Dewlahland under Special Development Fund in 2010. However, the proposed construction remained unimplemented. T. Pamei who was the then Director of Tribal Affairs Hills and Schedule Castes Development Department submitted a letter to the commissioner of the development to utilize the available fund of Rs. 99 Lakh for the construction of the 3rd floor of the existing scheduled tribe boys hostel at St. Anthony Educational Society, Poumei Colony in Imphal West.
Then on August 22, 2016, T. Pamei, who had been promoted to the commissioner of the Affairs Hills and Scheduled Castes Development Department, put up the proposal to the then deputy chief minister in-charge of Affairs Hills and Scheduled Castes Development Department, Shri Gaikhangam who approved the proposal without the Ministry’s approval nor concurrence of the Finance department given.
Thereafter the executive engineer for TAH and SC, development department, Kh. Jilla had issued the work order on August 22, 2016, to T, Rita Panmei, the secretary of St. Anthony education society for the construction of the 3rd floor of the existing scheduled tribe boys hostel at an estimated cost Rs. 1,10,00,000 without calling tender.
T. Rita Panmei is the wife of T. Pamei. A sum of Rs. 88,30,800 was given to Rita Pamei on April 19, 2017, as a first and final bill for the construction of the 3rd floor of the existing hostel.Pamei was arrested on Tuesday by a team of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Police led by additional SP, Ratana Ngasepam from Takyelpat area under Vigilance FIR case under section 420/120-B IPC and section 13(2) r/w 13 (1) (c) (d) of PC Act, 1988.
Special Judge (P.C Act), Imphal West today remanded the former director of Tribal Affairs, Hills and Scheduled Caste (TAH and SC), Thaithuilung Pamei to police custody for 24 hours.
The accused IAS officer, T. Pamei, through his counsel said he is innocent and is being falsely implicated appealed to the judge not to booked him under the Criminal Liberty and be release on bail. On the other hand, the additional public prosecutor pleaded for custody till July 26 saying that the accused presence is required regarding some relevant documents and files from the concerned departments.
