The Assam government has suspended IAS officer Sewali Devi Sharma, secretary at agriculture department in connection with a case of financial irregularities and misappropriation of funds during her tenure as executive chairman-director, SCERT, said a notification issued by the personal (A) department of Assam government on March 18.
According to the notification, a report received from the department of school education dated March 18, found that Sewali Devi Sharma, secretary, agriculture department opened 5 bank accounts without the approval of the government during her tenure as executive chairman-director, SCERT.
“It has also been reported that Sewali Devi Sharma…was the sole signatory and FRBM rules were not followed in respect of the 5 numbers of bank accounts whereas it has also been reported that a report of enquiry on the functioning of open and distance learning (ODL) under SCERT found financial irregularities and very credible references of misappropriation of fund,” said the notification.
It also stated that the governor of Assam is satisfied that it is necessary and expedient to place Sewali Devi Sharma under suspension from service with immediate effect.
“Now therefore, pending drawal of departmental proceeding Sewali Devi Sharma is placed under suspension under rule 3(1) of the All India Services (Discipline & Appeal) Rules, 1969 with immediate effect. During the period of suspension, the headquarter of Sharma shall be Guwahati,” said the notification.
Earlier in the day, four Assam Civil Service (ACS) officers – Munindra Bardoloi, Sharmistha Borah, Sukanya Bora and Hemanta Kumar Dutta – were also suspended by the Assam government after the chief minister’s special vigilance cell found a number of irregularities and anomalies in the execution of works and utilization of funds under the Members of Parliament Local Area Development Division (MPLAD) fund of Rajya Sabha MP Ajit Kumar Bhuyan, said a notification issued by the personal (A) department of Assam government on March 18.
