Kochi: The state treasury director has suspended V.Noble, junior superintendent of Ernakulam sub treasury, for financial embezzlement. The action is following an inquiry conducted by the treasury regional deputy director based on a complaint submitted to him.
During the inquiry it was found that the junior superintendent opened the strong room of the sub treasury at 10.45 PM on September 20, 2017 without the consent of sub treasury officer or other senior officials. The junior superintendent took the keys of strong room without the knowledge of concerned officials and put a sealed box in it. He also entered details of receiving the sealed box in the register and locked the strong room by midnight. Unauthorised opening of strong room during night is a serious violation of norms and criminal offence, according to the inquiry report.
The accused officer has also found to be passed several refund bills of VAT and GST worth lakhs of rupees, though he is not authorised to pass the bills. Only the sub treasury officer or the designated senior officer has the right to confirm and pass the refund bills.
The inquiry officer observed that the accused official violated norms for passing bills like scrutiny, confirmation and passing for personal interests.
It was also found that the accused official has got out of turn support from treasury establishment section junior superintendent Anoop Damodaran.
The district treasury officer has been asked to take necessary measures to ensure smooth functioning of Ernakulam sub treasury.
