Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Account holders reveal siphoning of interest dues at SBS Ravangla

GANGTOK, 14 Oct: Following a complaint lodged by account-holders at the State Bank of Sikkim’s Ravangla branch accusing the branch manager there of siphoning away interests accruing to them, the accused official, Tseten Norbu Bhutia, has been placed under suspension pending disciplinary enquiry.
The group of 19 SBS account holders had, on 01 Oct 2011, submitted a letter to the General Manager, State Bank of Sikkim, informing him that no interest has been reflected in their Pass Books, which the group contended was supposed to be credited to their respective accounts. The group had alleged that the Branch Manager in question had misused the bank’s money and cheated them of their dues amounting to Rs. 25 lakh.
This letter also highlights that the complaint was reached to the head office in September itself but no action had been initiated, forcing the cheated account holders of dispatching a follow-up letter.
As per media reports, the SBS head office had set up an internal audit headed by the Assistant General Manager, during which Mr. Bhutia was found guilty of having siphoned away Rs. 15 lakh [of the interest due to account holders] following which he has been placed under suspension.
The group, in their letter also expressed fears that similar diversion could also have hit accounts of the government departments stationed in Ravangla, all of which maintain an account with SBS.
They have sought “stringent action” to be taken against Mr. Bhutia after necessary inquires.
The letter also warns, “if not so, we the aggrieved public of Ravangla will have to opt for legal action as per the law of land so that all the affected Account holders will be entitled for the interest amount supposed to be payable therein”.  
Copies of the letter were also marked to the MLA, Barfung constituency, Chairman, SBS, DC, South, SDM, Ravangla, the Branch Manager, SBS and the Officer in Charge, Ravangla, PS.

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