Nayagarh: The district administration has started an investigation into the alleged misappropriation of Rs 68 lakh allocated for Mission Shakti in Bhapur block of Nayagarh.
According to reports, a five-member team started the investigation Tuesday. The officials visited the government residential quarters of the village level worker (VLW) of Fatehgarh.
It was alleged that the quarters was whitewashed and shown as a building made with Mission Shakti funds.
Five officials including ABDO Antaryami Mishra, Nayagarh Mission Shakti DPC Shamikhya Padhi and assistant engineer of Bhapur block Brundaban Baria talked to the local people about the re-whitewashing of the VLW quarters.
Two contractors who had done the work told the investigators that they had coloured the quarters in 2018-19 at a cost of Rs 6.50 lakh. After colouring it, the words ‘Mission Shakti Gruha’ were written on its wall.
Later, it was defaced. Locals said that the building was whitewashed several times in the past and names of different offices were mentioned on its walls which were subsequently defaced.
They also alleged that investigations into the alleged irregularities have been done in the past, but nothing concrete has come out.
Reports said lakhs of rupees meant for projects under Mission Shakti have allegedly been embezzled in 17 panchayats under Bhapur block by showing old government quarters and club houses as ‘Mission Shakti Gruhas’ made under the programme.
The commissioner-cum-secretary of the Mission Shakti had been apprised of the scam through complaints. The matter was investigated and some evidence was found.
Following allegations from people, joint secretary of Mission Shakti Binod Kumar Jena had directed the district collector to submit an investigation report.
Reports said, the government had provided Rs 4 lakh each for Mission Shakti Gruhas in 20 panchayats under Bhapur block. It was alleged that funds have been bungled in 17 panchayats.
Following a direction from the Collector August 24, a four-member investigating team led by Mission Shakti DPC Shamikhya Padhi had looked into the irregularities September 22.
Besides, the sub-collector has already submitted his investigation report, pointing out irregularities in Mission Shakti Gurhas at Rakma and Golapohari panchayats.
In Baghuapalli panchayat, a club house was shown as a Mission Shakti Gruha and funds were embezzled.
PNN