Nagaland forms SIT to probe over 1,000 personnel suspected of drawing multiple salaries or pensions across about 50 departments
KOHIMA — Nagaland Home department has constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe suspected cases of government employees drawing multiple salaries and pensions, with more than 1,000 personnel suspected of such irregularities.
Deputy Chief Minister and Minister-in-charge of Home, Yanthungo Patton, disclosed this on Thursday during the Ninth Session of the 14th Nagaland Legislative Assembly, while responding to a starred question raised by Advisor Kuzholuzo Nienu on the drawal of salaries by Nagaland Police personnel.
Patton said the SIT, headed by the inspector general of police (Intelligence), was constituted after more than 1,000 personnel were suspected of drawing double salaries or pensions.
He clarified that the suspected cases were not confined to the Police department but involved employees from about 50 government departments.
The minister said the actual number of cases involving double or multiple drawal would be ascertained only after completion of the investigation.
According to the written reply, the Personnel Information Management System (PIMS) is the sole deciding factor for salary drawal following the introduction of the e-Pay system in Nagaland. The government also stated that the sanctioned strength of posts is being strictly adhered to while drawing salaries of Nagaland Police personnel.
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Nienu, while expressing satisfaction with the department's response, urged the Home department to take stringent action against those found guilty of drawing multiple salaries or pensions.
He suggested termination of their services, prosecution and measures to prevent them from re-entering government service, describing such action as necessary to serve as a deterrent.
Nienu also called for an overhaul of the Police recruitment policy, pointing out that Nagaland had been following an age-old recruitment system despite changes brought about by digital technology and artificial intelligence.
He suggested introducing non-promotional grades for lower-level personnel so that their services could be better utilised in the modern policing system.
The advisor further urged the Police department to introduce a comprehensive transfer and posting policy, stating that such a policy was essential for strengthening the police system.
Referring to the Health and Family Welfare department's transfer and posting policy as an example, he said similar provisions could be adopted in the Police department, including mandatory service in outlying areas before becoming eligible for certain postings or promotions.
Nienu also appreciated the Home department for its efforts in tackling crime, extortion and drugs, while stressing that there remained considerable scope for improvement.
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