The special investigation team (SIT)-  formed to probe the embezzlement of funds in Vir Chandra Singh Gadhwali Swarozgar Yojna- has revealed some interesting facts which may lead to  many officials landing up in a soup. A commission of up to Rs 50,000 had been allegedly taken by an officer to give the subsidized loan. In the case filed at SIIDCUL police station, the recipients who were not entitled to avail the scheme along with some district officials have been booked.

It is leant from sources that the beneficiaries have started spilling beans of having shelled out commission worth Rs 50,000 to the district officers to get 25% of subsidy amount. The SSP Haridwar Janmejay Khanduri had given orders to probe the matter and the special investigation team is being led by SP city Kamlesh Upadhyay with  ASP and CO city Ayush Agarwal and  inspectors- Kamal Kumar Lunthi and Akram Ansari being members.

Case has been registered against some officials deputed between 2003 and 2011, including then district magistrate, chief development officer, district tourism offer, regional tourism officer, manager of the bank who issued loans, managing director district industries centre, representatives of NABARD and transport department.

Mention worthy, following the order of the chief judicial magistrate court, a case had been lodged against a host of officials of the district, including the then district magistrate who were deputed during the period between 2003 and 2011 in connection with the charges of embezzlement of funds and favouritism shown in distribution of loans under a government scheme. The advocate Arun Bhadauria had moved court on the matter on December 23 2011  and the case had been registered against the officials under the IPC 420 and 120B.

A total of 252 beneficiaries had been shown under the scheme of Vir Chandra Singh Gadhwali Swarozgar Yojna-meant to provide employment opportunities to the unemployed youths. However, as per the complaint, the actual beneficiaries had been political leaders, MLAs and income tax payers who had been given loans in the place of the unemployed youths, the advocate said.  Under the scheme, a subsidy of 25% is given on the total loan amount at a minimal interest rate.

Speaking to The Pioneer, SSP Janmejay Khanduri said, “Very soon the team would record statements of the people and verify the documents of 252 beneficiaries.”

Importantly, the pre-condition of availing the scheme is submission of an affidavit declaring that the applicant for the loan is unemployed and is a permanent resident of Haridwar. Besides, the applicant must state that he is not defaulter of any financial institution and he must also declare his salary, if any.