After the Bihar government ordered another probe against former Patna district magistrate Gautam Goswami, the state Vigilance department has begun investigation into charges of misutilisation and diversion of Rs 1.52 crore funds of the urban department during his tenure as Patna DM.

The Vigilance has constituted a four member team to investigate the matter. "The team has already begun the process for seizure of records in the matter" official sources said. Additional Director General (Vigilance) Neelmani said another FIR against Goswami will be lodged in a month's time on the basis of the probe outcome.

Vigilance to file chargesheet against Goswami

Goswami, the key accused in the multicrore rupee flood relief scam, had surrendered before a court in Patna in June end and was since lodged in Beur jail in Patna. Two months ago, the Urban Development department had requested Governor Buta Singh and the chief secretary to get the matter probed by a government agency.

Goswami is allegedly involved in misappropriation of Rs 1.52 crore, meant for Swarana Jayanti Swa Rojgar Yojna and National Slum Development Programme during his tenure as the district magistrate of Patna.

His involvement in this case came to light during an inquiry by the Urban Development department, said officials. The inquiry revealed that Rs 76 lakh, meant each for SJSRY and NSDP, was misappropriated between June and September 2004.

The inquiry report said the department had allotted Rs 69.63 lakh to the district urban development agency for distribution among 11 urban local bodies in the district. But the money was distributed to 17 non-governmental organisations for giving vocational training to people below poverty line. Similarly, Rs 76 lakh meant for NSDP was given to 19 NGOs. Ironically, it was found that most NGOs, to whom the money was granted, were non-existent.

Goswami guilty of another scam?