Nagpur: Jolted by the stationery scam, the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) seems to have learnt lessons. Now, in a significant move, NMC has introduced the system of One Time Password (OTP) for generation of bills and approval by head of departments online on the payment module developed under e-governance. The OTP system is intended to prevent more irregularities like the bogus contracts scam.
According to media reports, the civic body has already implemented the OTP system in the Property Tax Department after the revenue scam that came to light a couple of years ago. However, for some reasons best known to NMC officials, the system was not applied for the payment module.
It may be recalled that in connivance with contractor Padmakar ‘Kolba’ Sakode, two clerks — Mohan Padwanshi and Sanis Gokhe — had generated and approved bills using user ID and passwords of their Heads of Departments. The Accounts and Finance Department would not have approved bogus contracts of Sakode had these two clerks not generated and approved bills online. In the Revenue scam, computer operators on contractual basis had reduced the property tax amount of many taxpayers using user ID and passwords of their Heads of the Departments.
According to NMC sources, an OTP is sent to the contact number of the Head of Department after putting the username. Passwords can be put only after keying in the OTP. Then, the Head of Department can use his powers online. The same system has been started in the payment module now taking cognizance of bogus contracts scam. OTP will come on the mobile of the Head of Departments before putting in the password. No one will be able to misuse it, the sources added.
Sources further said that Assistant Commissioner of General Administration Department Mahesh Dhamecha is facing show cause notice and departmental enquiry as he shared user ID and password with Padwanshi. Similarly, show cause notice has been issued to Executive Engineer Naresh Borkar and Junior Engineer Sanjay Ingale in the scam case. Borkar and Ingale were served show cause notice on Monday for sharing user ID and password with Gokhe. Irregularities may happen in the new system only if head of departments share even the OTP with the subordinates.
An NMC official said that plan is to also implement OTP system to give provisions of funds for preparing file of any work. Provision is made at the initial stage. In the final stage, Accounts and Finance Department clears bill and deducts amount from concerned head from which provision was made. OTP will be sent to the officer concerned before clearing the bill, informing him that the bill will be deducted from his head. It will be very useful, the official said.
According to reports, PI from Sadar Police Station Vinod Chaudhari said they obtained extension of PCR of Sakode and his nephew Atul till December 22. Padwanshi and Mohammed Afaque Ahmed too have been sent to police custody till December 22. Ahmed is an Auditor in NMC’s Accounts and Finance Department. As per investigations by NMC and police, Ahmed used to clear bogus contracts of Sakode.
