Assam: Diphu Treasury office sealed

The Diphu Treasury office was sealed by the authority following an FIR lodged at Diphu police station  by Mukul Kumar Saikia, the deputy commissioner of Karbi Anglong and returning officer of Diphu and Howraghat Election districts.

The treasury office was sealed after an accountant of the treasury office brought allegations against "CEM" asking them to pass bills without valid documents. The office was sealed in presence of additional deputy commissioner and magistrate Norsing Bey and additional superintendent of police Dibyoti Talukdar.

There was a rush of contractors and employees at Diphu Treasury Office due to the financial year ending. However, the contractors and employees levelled allegations of demanding bribes against treasury officer Amarendra Sharma. The treasury officer allegedly demanded 1% on the amount of a bill to be cleared as a bribe.

As this reporter visited the treasury office on the evening of Sunday, there was a rush of government employees as well as government contractors for getting signature of the treasury officer and token. The treasury officer and staff for the last two to three days were working late till midnight to get the cheques cleared.

When media persons questioned treasury officer Sharma about the allegations he denied it.

Earlier in the afternoon at the chamber of ADC Norsing Bey, after due permission from the ADC, interviewed accountant Hemanjali Handique on this matter.

The DC lodged an FIR at Diphu police station against treasury officer Amarendra Sharma along with seven of the staff namely Accountant Hemanjali Handique, Ujjal Kumar Tanti, Mangal Ram Deo, Abhishek Das, Lonima Rongchehonpi, Utpal Gowami and Bimal Basumatary. The DC urged the police authority to arrest the erring officials under appropriate sections of CRPC, IPC and prevention of corruption Act, 1988.

The FIR also further mentioned that complaints against the TO has been received repeatedly.

While sealing the office, ADC Bey informed the media that the police have found some materials along with cash of Rs. 4000 of 500 denomination from the chamber of the treasury officer.