DIRECTION OF LOKAYUKTA, ODISHA TO INTIATE DISCIPLINARY ACTION AGAINST SARAPANCH AND 3 OFFICIALS OF JAJPUR DISTRICT
Pradeep Pradhan
BHUBANESWAR: Corruption and irregularities in construction of Drinking Water Project and piped Water Project is very common in Odisha under Nabin Patnaik Govt.
A large number of Private Companies out of the state are awarded contract for the construction of piped water project in Odisha.Thousands of crores of money are sanctioned under District Mineral Fund and OMBADC (Odisha Mineral- bearing Area Development Corporation).
Drinking water project constructed in Haradeipur village under Sinduria Gram Panchayat of Dharmashala lock of Jajpur district. Rilu ehera, PS Member had alleged complaint in Lokayukta on 4.10.19 of huge irregularities and misappropriation of entire fund amounting Rs. 2 lakhs in name of construction of Pipe Water supply in Sundaria Gram Panchayat under Dharmashala block of Jajpur district after getting the said information under RTI Act.
On 28.11.19, hearing the Case , the Lokayukta, Odisha had directed to the Block Development Officer, Dharmashala to personally inspect the bore-well by getting the depth- measured and thereafter submit the report. In compliance order of the Lokayukta, the BDO, Dharmashala block submitted his report dt. 7.1.20 which says that on measuring the depth of bore-well by the Executive Engineer, RWSS , it was found that the depth was only 36.4 metres and not 63 metres as shown in the measurement book.
The four persons namely (1) Sri Managobinda Baral , Ex-PEO, (2) Smt. Puspanjali Sahu, EX-GPTA, (3) Sri Debudattaray Mohapatra, Ex-Assistant Executive Officer , ( 4) Smt. Gayatri Panda, Sarapanch of Sinduria GP have jointly misappropriated an amount of Rs. 41,492.00.
Acting upon the Inquiry report, the Lokayukta, Odisha had issued notice to all the four persons for their reply and called for the views of the competent authority i.e., Minister-in-Charge , Panchayat Raj and Drinking Water.
The Minister also confirmed that, all four persons are responsible for such
Irregularities and misappropriation of Govt. fund towards execution of pipe water supply in Sinduria Gram Panchayat. The Minister has also mentioned that necessary action is being taken against erring persons. The view of the Minister is based on the report of the Collector, Jajpur who too in his report dated 14.2.20 has confirmed the irregularities and misappropriation of fund by Sarapanch and all three officials. The Collector, Jajpur has also reported that the disciplinary proceedings has been initiated against;
Managobinda Baral,Ex-PEO,Smt. Puspanjali Sahu, EX-GPTA, (3) Sri Debudattaray Mohapatra,Ex-Assistant Executive Officer and action against, Gayatri Panda, sarapanch recommended for initiation of proceedings under section 115 of Odisha Gram Panchayat act.
On 15.9.20., On the basis of the report of the Collector, Jajpur and views of the Minister of Panchayat Raj and DW, the Lokayukta Odisha directed to the State Govt. to ensure completion of the disciplinary proceedings against 3 officials within a period of 5 months.
The Lokayukta also recommended to the Principal secretary, Dept. of Panchayatraj & DW to immediately initiate proceedings under section 115 of the Odisha Gram Panchayat Act,1964 and complete the proceedings within 5 months.
