Applications go missing from record

On Wednesday,the Lokayukta,who is investigating the matter on a complaint against Siddiqui lodged by journalist J N Shukla,summoned officials of the agriculture department,local administration and members of the committee that decided the criteria for selection of beneficiaries.

Shukla had alleged that Siddiqui influenced the allotment of subsidised farm equipment to his relatives and favourites.

During questioning,the officials failed to provide important documents and admitted that the applications were missing from the record. The Lokayukta has now summoned two clerks of the agriculture department who were handling the files on Monday.

Mehrotra said,“I began my inquiry today. I had summoned the Deputy Director of agriculture department at Banda,Chief Development Officer of Banda and two clerks who were involved in the planning of Krishi Yantrikaran ki Karyayojana (farm mechanisation project) under the Bundelkhand package.” Mehrotra said that despite the fact that one of the officers headed the selection committee,they failed to present basic records such as applications received under the scheme,and said that these were missing. “It is surprising that none was ready to say who was responsible for these files. I have summoned some more officials for further probe,” Mehrotra said.

Sources said that during questioning it was found that a large part of the Central fund for Bundelkhand had not been passed on to district agriculture office.

Mamata opposes Pension Bill

NEW DELHI: After FDI in retail,Mamata Banerjee has now opposed the Centre’s proposed Pension Bill. The TMC chief is understood to have sent a letter to Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee saying the Bill does not clarify how the entire pension fund would be kept safe from risk and that the policy framework governing the fund should have necessary scope for pensioners to have a say in the investment. The government,sources said,has decided to go slow on the Bill.