PATNA, 1 May 2005 — The Home Ministry has sought a report on the multimillion rupee Bihar flood relief scam, state chief secretary K.A.H. Subramanian said yesterday.
He told reporters here that he had received a message from the ministry in New Delhi asking for details of the relief provided to tens of thousands of marooned people of north Bihar last year.
Though no time frame had been set for sending the report, Subramanian indicated it would be sent as soon as possible.
Senior Home Ministry officials in Delhi indicated that with the irregularities in flood relief taking on a political color, the investigations may be handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
Bihar Governor Buta Singh hinted Friday that the probe might be entrusted to the CBI.
At the center of the controversy is Gautam Goswami, a 1992 batch Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer who, as the district magistrate of Patna, was the nodal authority for distributing flood relief.
Time magazine had named Goswami one of its “Asian Heroes” of 2004 for his efforts in coordinating flood relief.
It now transpires that Goswami and some others skimmed off 174 million rupees meant for flood relief. Goswami denies the charge, saying he has papers to prove the money was legitimately spent. Goswami has since resigned from the IAS and joined the Sahara group as a vice president. Chief Secretary Subramanian says the resignation is yet to be accepted and that Goswami can be recalled to face administrative and legal charges.
Meanwhile, police yesterday raided the homes of jailed Baniapur LJP legislator Manoranjan Singh alias Dhumal Singh in Chapra and Manjhi areas of Bihar’s Saran district and recovered arms, vehicles and narcotics.
