Baripada: The Baripada Electricity Division of Mayurbhanj had set a target in bill collection, but some officials had allegedly submitted forged bills, claiming to have met the target. The matter was reported in Odia daily Dharitri July 18 and 23.
The report said the bill collection target was maintained only in records, but dues were pending with consumers. Although the department was aware of the illegality, some senior officials had been trying to mislead the investigation.
Taking note of media reports, the investigation was intensified by the department. Chief Vigilance officer and AGM (Finance) of the department conducted the probe. The probe detected evidence of irregularity.
The HR chief of Nesco suspended three senior officials – then Executive Engineer of Baripada division Sidharth Shankar Ray, Junior Engineer of Kuliana Section Suryakanat Sahu and Finance Manager of Baripada Division Arnarnajan Jena.
Nesco usually set a month’s target in bill collection. If officials meet the target they are awarded.
Ray and Sahu had submitted forged bills to the department from 2017 to June 2019. Forged bills for around Rs 2 crore had been furnished to the department.
During an audit, the illegality was detected. The Executive Engineer was transferred to Nesco’s corporate office at Balasore in July. It is learnt that some staffers got commission for meeting target through submission of forged bills.
The department is also looking into the matter and who were the beneficiaries of the fraud.
PNN