Bhubaneswar: The financial irregularities in Co-operative banks in Odisha from 2008 till date have been recorded to the tune of Rs 3,579.81 lakh, Cooperation Minister Atanu Sabyasachi Nayak informed Assembly today.

In a reply to Khandapada MLA Soumya Ranjan Patnaik, the Minister informed the House that irregularities pertaining to the loan and other financial transactions have been found in Odisha State Cooperative Bank and Central Cooperative Bank from 2008 till date. The amount has been pegged at Rs 1,733.96 lakh and an irregularity of Rs 1,845.85 lakh has been found in urban cooperative banks. Both the figures come to a total of Rs 3,579.81 lakh, the Minister added.

Similarly, the irregularities found up to 2018 relating to the sanction of loans and others at Odisha State Cooperative Bank and Central Cooperative Bank in the State amount to a total of Rs 4,225.17 lakh, the minister stated in his written reply.

Annual account audits of different cooperative societies and banks are conducted as per provisions envisaged in the Odisha Cooperative Societies Act, 1962. Irregularities, if any, done in such societies and banks are detected through the audits. Accordingly, actions are taken against any person(s) who is found guilty, as per the Act.

Even to the extent, criminal cases are initiated against wrongdoers, the minister asserted.