Corruption Down The Line

In this case also, the probe into the fodder scam is headed by district magistrates in different districts. If they are themselves involved, it is anyone's guess how the investigation is likely to progress. The DMs have been asked to lodge FIRs in the fodder case. Officials say that as per the rules, districts are expected to present their accounts on a monthly basis to the AG office. But in Bihar, that practice hasbeen long forgotten. Already, there are indications that there have been heavy withdrawals in other departments as well, including education and forest.

Points out the CAG report on the scam: "The authority administering a grant is ultimately responsible for the progress of expenditure on public services under its control and keeping it within the grant. It, however, appeared that the controlling officers failed not only in containing the expenditure within the voted grant, but also in making a reasonably accurate estimate of the requirement of the fund."