Raiganj, Oct. 5: The inquiry conducted into the Rs 1.2-crore mid-day meal scam in Karandighi block is being hampered because of lack of cooperation from the bank, North Dinajpur district magistrate Sunil Dandapat said here today.

Joint block development officer of Karandighi Durjay Chakraborty had been showcaused and an FIR was lodged against data entry operator of the Swarna Jayanti Swarojgar Yojana Tapas Mondal on Friday on the basis of the preliminary investigation.

Deputy magistrate Priyashankar Saha who had been entrusted with the inquiry more than a fortnight ago found that two self-help groups that did not cook food for school children had been sanctioned Rs 6 lakh. Complaints from various SHGs that their payments were being turned down on the plea that there were no funds were also received.

“We had started an inquiry soon after the Rs 1.2 crore scam came to our notice. We also got the proof that Rs 6 lakh was embezzled,” Dandapat said.

He said the probe would reveal what had happened to the remaining Rs 1.14 crore that had been sanctioned. “For that, we have to verify the notesheet sent by the joint BDO of Karandighi to the State Bank of India’s Karandighi branch, ordering transfer funds to the self-help groups.”

The district magistrate alleged that the bank was told two weeks ago to send back the joint BDO’s “notesheet” for verification, but it did not comply.

“Although the joint BDO has replied to the showcause notice, no decision can be taken on the basis of his replies. If we do not get the papers from the bank by the next 2-3 days, I will lodge a complaint with their regional office,” the DM said.

Manager of SBI’s Karandighi branch Uday Kumar Pandey said: “We have supplied some records to the government. Retrieving old records takes time. The district authorities should appreciate our problem.”

Joint BDO Chakraborty refused to divulge the contents of his reply. Police said the data entry operator was still missing. He fled the area soon after the FIR was lodged against him.