Assam suspends IAS officer over fund misappropriation in SCERT

GUWAHATI: The Assam government suspended IAS officer Sewali Devi Sharma, secretary to the Assam government’s Agriculture Department, in connection with a case of financial irregularities and misappropriation of funds during her tenure as the Executive Chairman and Director of SCERT, according to a notification issued by the Personal (A) Department of the Assam government on Saturday.

According to the notification, the report received from the Department of School Education via letter eCF No. 221279/227 dated March 18-03-2023, found that Sewali Devi Sharma, IAS (SCS-2010), Secretary to the Govt. of Assam, Agriculture Department, opened five bank accounts without the approval of the Government of Assam during her tenure as the Executive Chairman and Director of SCERT. “It has also been reported that Sewali Devi Sharma, IAS (SCS-2010), Secretary to the Government of Assam, Agriculture Department, the then Executive Chairman and Director of SCERT, was the sole signatory and FRBM rules were not followed in respect of the above mentioned five bank accounts, whereas it has also been reported that a report of enquiry on the functioning of Open and Distance Learning (ODL) under SCERT found financial irregularities and very credible references of misappropriation of fund,” said in the notification copy.

It also stated that the Governor of Assam is satisfied that it is necessary and expedient to place Sewali Devi Sharma, IAS (SCS-2010), Secretary to the Government of Assam, Agriculture Department, under suspension from service with immediate effect.

“Now therefore, pending the withdrawal of Departmental Proceeding Sewali Devi Sharma, IAS (SCS-2010), Secretary to the Govt. of Assam, Agriculture is placed under suspension under rule 3(1) of the All India Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1969, with immediate effect. During the period of suspension, the headquarters of Sewali Devi Sharma, IAS (SCS-2010), shall be Guwahati,” said the government notification copy. (ANI)

Also Read:  4 Assam Civil Service officers suspended

Also Watch: