VASCO
A lower division clerk (LDC) attached to the Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC) has been suspended by the Directorate of Municipal Administration (DMA) over charges of forgery and misappropriation of funds.
Speaking to reporters, MMC Chairperson Leo Rodrigues said the clerk had earlier got a memo from the chief officer based on complains from people.
“The LDC has been suspended because he has forged the signature of our officers (Assistant Tax Officer) and also used fake stamps to offer payment receipts. A lady had complained to me and I forwarded the matter to the DMA for necessary action and attached all the documents. The staff has been suspended and enquiry is being carried out in the matter,” said Rodrigues.
“The previous chief officer had issued him a memo on an earlier occasion in a different case after another person had complained about the same staff. This is the second incident where he has misappropriated around Rs 32,000 and there may be many more such cases that will open up now. I fear that the amount misappropriated by him could run into lakhs of rupees,” said Rodrigues.
The MMC chairperson said the LDC would forge signatures and use fake stamps to issue payment receipts to people.
“He would take money from people saying that he would pay their dues and many people would offer him money to clear their dues. He would later issue them receipts with fake stamps and forged signatures,” said Rodrigues.
“The LDC has been suspended and has been directed to report to the DMA daily till such time that the enquiry is being carried out. I want to advise our staff not to get into such acts because the MMC is already struggling with finances and we are trying to clear outstandings. It is not right on their part to cheat innocent people and bring a bad name to the MMC,” said Rodrigues.
