Fraud in BISP, FSP schemes unearthed

24 Apr, 2009

A special squad of Pakistan Post unearthed fraud in Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) and Food Support Programme (FSP) cases in Sammasatta and recommended suspension of the postman and transfer of the Sammasatta postmaster. Moreover, two senior Muzaffargarh postal department officials were suspended on alleged involvement in Rs 400,000 misappropriation in BISP and FSP, deputy post master general (DPMG) Multan Mushtaq Mahendro told APP on Thursday.
Soon after being established, the three-member special squad, headed by DPMG, and comprising assistant director Mehmood Ahmad and assistant superintendent Ishaq Baloch, took serious notice of the complaints from Sammasatta. During their visit to Sammasatta, nine cases of bogus payments were detected. The squad found that the postman Muhammad Aslam, in collusion with Lumberdar, embezzled money orders and showed that the money has been paid to the women.
During visit to Goth Mehrab, Basti Narwali, Basti Jalasaar, Basti Thaheem, and Basti Kalanchan Wali, members of squad met with the affected women and made the postman and Lumberdar pay money to them on the spot.
The bogus payment cases included two BISP and seven FSP cases. Special squad has recommended suspension of postman and transfer of Sammasatta postmaster Naseem Khan. Superintendent postal department Bahawalpur has been instructed to scrutinise record of the money orders distributed so far by the suspended postman and report was sought within a fortnight.
In Muzaffargarh, senior postmaster Mohib Ali Shah and deputy senior postmaster Mujtaba Shah have been put under suspension on alleged Rs 400,000 misappropriation in BISP and FSP. Total six persons including the aforesaid officials were allegedly involved in it and they have been told either to deposit the embezzled amount within seven days or else be ready to face prosecution.
DPMG Mushtaq Mahendro said that Director General and Post Master General of Pakistan Post are committed to root out corruption from the department and no pressure or influence will be tolerated in taking action against the corrupt elements. Earlier, he told affected women in Sammasatta that officials involved in misappropriation of BISP and FSP funds deserve no leniency and will face punishment not less than dismissal if found involved in the wake of inquiry proceedings.

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