Patna, May 4: State Bank of India Staff Association’s Bihar members have accused its general secretary J.N. Singh of defalcating over Rs 50 lakh funds and have approached Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) to make an inquiry.
Thirty-six members have written to association chief general secretary against Singh alleging “misappropriation of association funds for acquiring assets”.
The man in question, while talking to The Telegraph said: “All allegations are bogus. I will present my side to the media very soon.” Bihar SBI Staff Association has over 10,000 members.
Talking to The Telegraph, the association’s deputy-general secretary (headquarters) Devendra Singh confirmed: “I have heard that 36 members wrote to chief general secretary Ashok Dutta at his Calcutta office on March 25, 2008, about Singh defalcating lakhs of association funds in contravention of trade union rules.” Singh added, though he “unofficially” discussed the allegations with Dutta, he did not sign the complaint by staffers because of his “constraints” as the holder of the same office. Singh said the complaint was also addressed to CVC to take immediate action against Singh. CVC, however, has not yet taken up the matter.
Retorting to Singh’s dismissal of allegations against him, the chief general secretary said: “Members have been threatened by J.N. Singh for signing on the complaint letter.” He asked Singh to prove allegations wrong or else face an inquiry.
J.N. Singh allegedly withdrew over Rs 40 lakh from association accounts through cheques to purchase a flat in New Delhi. While property papers, copies of which are available with The Telegraph, showed the flat’s price as Rs 9,30,000, registered on December 26, 2007 at sub-registrar-III office, New Delhi, association members alleged that Singh paid Rs 40 lakh for it.
The complainant alleged there were two sale deeds for the same flat, one showing J.N. Singh as the general secretary of non-existing SBI Staff’s Welfare Association. The complainants further alleged that the general secretary withdrew funds from time to time to “meet personal ends”.
