AGARTALA, January 2 (TIWN): After the massive financial corruption of Kumarghat Horticulture Technology Mission came to light now the Department of Agriculture is trying to conceal the financial corruption in the department. Allegations were raised against Director of the department Deba Prasad Sarkar.

It is to be mentioned here that a special audit report has disclosed the scams. The Audit department has sent those reports to the Chief Secretary of Agriculture department. The report files are said to be remaining close, though the Director assured of taking initiatives as soon as possible.

According to official sources, the Director formed an investigating committee comprising of 2 members. They have been engaged with the enquiry of the scams. The higher official would take action after the enquiry. Resentment brewed among the department officials as the duo members of the investigating committee themselves is involved in corruption, the officials said.

According to the department staffs, if proper investigation is conducted, multi-crore scams will be disclosed under implementation of Central projects and state projects. Siphoning of funds have been going on regarding technology mission, BADP, MNREGA fund, sapling business and purchasing of agriculture products from companies outside the state. Despite acknowledged of the issue, the government has turned a deaf ear towards it and is trying to conceal the issue.

It is to be mentioned here that earlier, opposition leader Sudip Roy Barman said that the Audit Directorate on the accounts of Deputy Director, Horticulture (North Tripura) Kumarghat observed financial irregularities to the extent of Rs. 5.23 crores for the period from March 1, 2013 to August 8, 2014 that is for 17 months. The audit report of the Kumarghat Horticuture department office says that in regard of procurement of Vermicompost the procurement valued at Rs. 26.00 lakh was made without inviting any tender as well as without observing codal formalities and without obtaining any approved rate and permission from the competent authority. Beside the procurement was made without certificate conducting of quality test and without production capacity certificate and manufacturing license.