Saraskana: Farmers here have alleged a check dam has been built inside a reserve forest at Murunia panchayat under Saraskana block in Mayurbhanj district.
A major part of the fund has been embezzled by the contractor while the location where the project has come up is of no use for agriculture. The farmers said Rs 9 lakh has been spent for the project under MGNREGS.
People of Murunia, Ganali, Joditapa and Nuasahi alleged that the project was deliberately made inside a reserve forest and the fund was looted.
Another problem is that a large number of teak plants have been felled to make space for the project. This is a violation of the forest protection Act.
They sought to know if the forest department has granted permission for the project in a reserve forest.
Santanu Dev Bhuyan, junior engineer of Murunia panchayat, said the work of the project is underway and no one had ideas that the project area was a reserve forest.
Saraskana BDO said the allegation will be investigated. Contacted, ranger Ajay Das said the forester will look into the matter.
PNN