Chandigarh, Feb 24 (NationPress) Haryana's Chief Minister, Nayab Singh Saini, announced in the Assembly on Tuesday that all funds associated with the fraud involving the state government's accounts at IDFC First Bank's Chandigarh branch have been fully restored to government accounts.

He revealed that a total of Rs 556 crore, which includes Rs 22 crore in interest, was transferred back to the government within just 24 hours.

According to the Chief Minister, the involvement of several employees (around four to five) from the Chandigarh branch has come to light.

“No individual, whether a bank staff member, a private citizen, or a government official, will escape accountability in this matter,” he stated.

Emphasizing the robust oversight by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Chief Minister assured the Assembly, “No one can touch the hard-earned money of Haryana's 2.8 crore residents. The governance framework in Haryana has been revitalized, with every rupee of public funds being meticulously tracked.”

He mentioned that a committee led by the Finance Secretary has been established to probe this incident. “This committee will conduct a thorough examination and propose measures to avert similar occurrences in the future,” he added.

Previously, IDFC First Bank had identified Rs 590 crore in fraudulent activities at its Chandigarh branch, as stated in the bank’s Exchange Filing.

The state’s Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau has filed an FIR against bank officials, public servants, and other parties under various sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

During a protest outside the Assembly by the opposition Congress regarding the bank scandal, state party President Rao Narendra Singh addressed the media, stating, “This is not an ordinary scam; it exceeds Rs 590 crore, and I demand a CBI investigation as significant players are implicated.”

Just a day prior, CM Saini informed the Assembly that the fraud was uncovered due to vigilant efforts by state government departments, leading to the immediate de-empanelment of the bank.

He noted that the bank's statements did not align with the records held by the relevant departments, and directives have been issued to form a high-level committee for a detailed investigation.

In the Budget Session of the Vidhan Sabha, the Chief Minister conveyed that IDFC First Bank had acknowledged the irregularities committed by specific employees in a communication to SEBI.

The bank has also initiated actions against the implicated employees.

He clarified that while the bank sent a letter on February 21, the government had already de-panelled the bank on February 18 and mandated the full amount, including interest, to be transferred to a nationalized bank.

The Chief Minister also pointed out that a significant portion of government funds deposited with IDFC First Bank was tied up in fixed deposits (FDs). He remarked that the practice of maintaining departmental funds in banks is longstanding, having occurred even during the tenure of Congress. Banks are periodically empaneled, and new banks are consistently added to the list.