Chhapra. Allegations have emerged that a large number of RD and TD accounts were opened in the names of officials and employees to show that the prescribed targets for government savings schemes had been achieved in the Saran Postal Division. Sources connected with the department claim that a large number of accounts were opened in the name of a single person at some places during the March closing.

Several questions are being raised regarding the number of accounts, the process through which they were opened, the source of the deposited funds and the possible incentive payments linked to them. However, no independent departmental inquiry or official conclusion regarding these allegations has emerged so far.

Claim of opening 100 accounts in a single name

A senior postal department official, on the condition of anonymity, claimed that around 100 TD accounts, each with a deposit of Rs 1,000, were opened in a single day in the name of Usha Kumari, the senior postmaster posted at Chhapra Head Post Office, during the March closing.

Sources also claimed that several accounts were opened in the name of Santosh Kumar, Assistant Superintendent of Posts associated with the Marhaura subdivision.

It has also been claimed that a large number of RD and TD accounts were opened in the name of Sachchidanand Sharma, postmaster of Marhaura Head Office, between January and March. According to sources, their number could be as high as around 300.

Official confirmation of these claims would require examination of the CBS records, KYC documents and transaction logs of the accounts concerned.

Questions also raised over incentives

Sources claim that departmental incentive payments linked to the opening of accounts have also made the matter serious.

The allegation is that if a large number of accounts were opened in the names of a single person or a limited number of people, it needs to be investigated whether any incentive or other financial benefit was issued on the basis of these accounts.

To confirm this, it would be necessary to examine the CBS records for the relevant period, payment details, commission or incentive vouchers and beneficiary accounts.

Allegation of pressure on employees to meet targets

Some rural postal service providers and sub-postmasters claimed that considerable pressure was put on them to meet targets.

They allege that during virtual meetings, warnings of adverse action, withholding of salaries or transfers were issued if targets were not met. Some employees said that under this pressure, they were also forced to open accounts in their own names or those of family members.

The detailed responses of the officials concerned to these allegations are still awaited.

Complaints over payments in Amnour, Apahr and Baniapur

Complaints by some account holders regarding delays in maturity payments have also emerged in the Amnour, Apahr and Baniapur areas.

The complainants say they had to visit the post office several times to receive payment. In some cases, KYC, technical problems or lack of cash availability were cited as reasons.

However, whether there is a direct link between the delays in payment and the allegedly bulk-opened accounts can be clarified only after an official investigation.

These questions need to be answered in the investigation
Was permission to open such a large number of accounts on the same PAN and Aadhaar permitted under the rules?
What was the source of the funds deposited in the accounts concerned?
Was any incentive or commission paid on the basis of these accounts? If so, to whom?
Was any alert or monitoring mechanism available in the CBS system for such unusual patterns?
What is the actual reason for the delay in maturity payments?
Will a departmental audit of the accounts concerned and KYC records be conducted?
Postmaster General said: The matter is not in my knowledge

Pawan Kumar Singh, Postmaster General, Northern Region, Muzaffarpur, said that the matter was not in his knowledge.

He said that if such a matter had come to light, it was wrong, and that he had not received any information about it so far.

Deshline has attempted to obtain the responses of the officials concerned to the allegations made in this matter. Their responses will be prominently included in the report once received.