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NCC bungling: Accused colonel blames boss
The investigation into misappropriation of NCC funds, running into lakhs of rupees, by some NCC personnel in the Northeast is likely to open a can of worms, reports Manish Tiwari.
The investigation into misappropriation of NCC funds, running into lakhs of rupees, by some NCC personnel in the Northeast is likely to open a can of worms.
Colonel A.K. Baruah (retired), the prime accused in the case involving the disappearance of demand drafts worth Rs 66 lakh, has accused his superiors of corrupt practices.
Baruah told HT, “My boss would always praise the clerk for his competence. I may have signed certain documents in good faith. My hunch is that the clerk and my superiors were hand-in-glove.”
Baruah’s statement comes after NCC director general Lt Gen R.K. Karwal ordered a court of inquiry, which will assemble in Shillong on April 13 to investigate how the demand drafts went missing.
HT had reported on April 8 that funds earmarked for promoting NCC activity in the Northeast had been pocketed by some defence personnel.
Brigadier P.R. Sharma, deputy director general, NCC (Northeast), sent a confidential report to the NCC headquarters in New Delhi on April 2, saying preliminary investigations revealed “direct involvement” of NCC director Colonel A.K. Baruah and accounts clerk D.C. Borah in the case.
Baruah hung his boots two months back, while Borah retired last February.
Sharma recommended that the pension and other retirement allowances of the two accused be withheld till the completion of the inquiry. Baruah, incidentally, is the recipient of the Sena Medal. A colonel will head the NCC inquiry.
