Administration seeks cash withdrawal details from SBI

SHILLONG: The deputy commissioner of North Garo Hills on Wednesday asked the manager of SBI Adokgre branch to submit a report on cash transactions within 24 hours following allegations of suspicious withdrawals.
NPP leader and former Assembly speaker ED Marak had alleged on Tuesday that there were suspicious withdrawals of money from SBI Adokgre after the announcement of the Assembly polls on January 18.
In his complaint to the North Garo Hills deputy commissioner, Marak said several persons had withdrawn huge amount of money from the SBI branch and allegedly distributed Rs 5,000 among voters.
Based on media reports, the chief electoral officer then directed the DC to inquire the matter and ascertain whether any violation of the model code of conduct had taken place and also asked the DC to take action in case of any violation. The State Level Bankers Committee has been directed to inquire from the branch manager concerned about the transactions.
Meanwhile, an SBI official said the branch manager was asked to investigate the matter and it was found that people were withdrawing money from individual accounts.
“The model code of conduct says transaction of Rs 1 lakh or more should be reported to the District Election Officer but here in the branch, people are withdrawing Rs 5,000 from their individual accounts,” he said. He added that banks have been asked to report to the district election officer in case of any suspicious transaction like withdrawal of large sum of money from a long stagnant account.
Meanwhile, the model code of conduct was also circulated among all banks on Wednesday.