Misuse of Nagada funds: Lokayuta issues notices to Jajpur DRDA PD, five others

Odisha

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Lokayukta has issued notices to six Government officials, including Jajpur District Rural Development Agency (DRDA) Project Director and Sukinda BDO, over alleged irregularities of fund meant for the development of Nagada village in Jajpur district.

Hearing a petition filed by RTI activist Pradip Pradhan about allegation of corruption and misappropriation of fund amounting Rs 23 crore sanctioned for development of Juanga tribes in Nagada village under Sukinda block, the Lokayukta had on October 25 issued notice to  six senior districts officials, including DRDA Project Director, RD-1 Executive Engineer, Jajpur Town (4) Executive  Engineer,  Jajpur Road Electrical Executive Engineer, Jajpur RWSS, Sukinda BDO and District Social Welfare Officer while giving six week’s time to reply.

The Lokayukta has fixed the next date of hearing on December 9.

In response to a RTI query, Jajpur district administration had supplied details of utilisation of Rs 23 crore by various line departments in Nagada village.

After getting the information, a five-member Civil Society Group of Right to Food Campaign, Odisha had visited Nagada on June 8 for monitoring of works and physical verification of utilisation of fund. During field inspection, the team found very  half hazard work, low quality  of houses  constructed  under Biju Pucca Gruha Yojana, electricity  connection without supply of  electricity, no supply of drinking water, failure  of food security  programme  to enhance  their food and livelihood security and huge misappropriation of  fund in construction work.

Preparing a comparative chart Pradhan filed a complaint petition on October 14 with the Lokayukta seeking an independent investigation into huge corruption and misappropriation of fund in Nagada village.

It is pertinent to mention here Nagada, a revenue village and habitation of Juang Primitive Tribal Groups is surrounded by mountainous forest from all sides touched headline of on July 12, 2016 after the death of 19 infants due to the malnutrition.

 

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