Muktsar co-op society under scanner for Rs4.75 lakh fraud

Archit Watts
Tribune News Service

Muktsar, June 24

The functioning of Harike Kalan Cooperative Society Limited in Muktsar district is under the scanner as its former secretary and president allegedly sanctioned loans to 19 women on fictitious names under the Mai Bhago Istri Shakti scheme in 2011 and 2012.

The issue came to light when four members of the society lodged a complaint in this regard to the Chief Minister, SSP, Vigilance, and Deputy Commissioner alleging that the society had sanctioned a loan of Rs 25,000 to each woman to start her own venture.

Thereafter, the inspectors of the cooperative department conducted a probe and found the allegations true. Harnek Singh, a cooperative inspector, who investigated the matter, said, “During investigation it is found that Rs4.75 lakh was given to 19 women as loan on fictitious names. None of them were found on the addresses given. The fraud seems to have been committed by the former secretary of the Harike Kalan Cooperative Society and the then manager of Central Cooperative Bank, Bariwala branch.”

He said, “We are expecting to unearth some more fraud thus investigating it thoroughly. The accused have now deposited the loan amount of Rs 4.75 lakh in the bank and its interest amount of Rs 2,72,070 as well.”

Meanwhile, Jaswinder Singh, president of the society, said, “I admit that fraud has been done but I have not played any role in it. My fake signatures were used to grant loan to 19 women on fictitious names. I was unaware of the issue.”

Gurnam Singh, former secretary of the Harike Kalan Cooperative Society Limited, said, “I am under pressure and can’t comment over this controversy.”

Harike Kalan Cooperative Society Limited is set up for three villages, Harike Kalan, Smagh and Kothe Bahadurgarh. All these villages fall in the Gidderbaha Assembly Segment.

Courtesy: The Tribune