Mitali Palnitkar
Published on: March 23, 2022 at 17:04 IST
The Tripura High Court issued directions to the State to initiate action against the Officials Allegedly misused the funds allocated for Health Schemes.
The Division Bench comprised Chief Justice Indrajit Mahanty and Justice SG Chattopadhyay. It was hearing a Public Interest Litigation against Alleged irregularities and Misuse of Fund in the implementation of Health Schemes.
The Petitioner came to know that funds were misused and irregularities were committed by the Officers involved in implementation of Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) training and other Health Schemes across the State. Thus, the Petition sought intervention of Court.
The Plea sought directions to State Respondents to initiate Departmental Proceedings against Officials involved in the Scam. It further sought that the Defalcated Money shall be recovered from the Delinquent Officials and the re-employment given to a few Delinquent Officials shall be cancelled.
A. Debbarma, the Counsel for the Petitioner submitted that the misuse of funds was Reported in the Internal Audit Report dated January 18, 2016 by the Directorate of Audit.
The State Government also failed to take actions against the Officials involved in the Scam. Thus, he sought directions to the State to take Punitive Measures against the Offenders.
M. Debbarma, the Additional Government Advocate representing the State Respondents contended that the Petitioner had no Locus Standi to File the Petition.
He submitted that the Audit Report was being examined, after which the State will take required measures. It was emphasized that the Petition was filed with Mala Fide Intention.
The Court observed that the Counsel for Respondent State failed to attribute any Mala Fide intention to the Petitioner. The Court held that it would be inappropriate to Reject the Plea on ground of having no Locus Standi.
It was noted that except the Audit report, the Petitioner failed to furnish other Cogent Materials. It observed that the State was examining the Report and had stated that it would take Corrective Measures.
Therefore, the Court directed the State to complete the Scrutiny of Audit report and take actions against the Officials involved in the Scam within 4 months. Also, the State shall take Preventive Measures to avoid the recurrence of such events.
Accordingly, the Court disposed of the Petition.
