Baliapal: Irregularities have allegedly been committed in selection of beneficiaries under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana at Ratai panchayat under Baliapal block in Balasore district.
Adjudicating a plea regarding the irregularities, the High Court has directed the District Collector to have a thorough probe into the scam. Meanwhile, the Collector has served notices on parties involved in the case.
Ghanashyam Barik, a resident of Shankarpur, has been selected as a beneficiary of PMAY. Jhatu Ran and some other villagers accused Ghanashyam of grabbing the housing unit through fraudulent means.
It was alleged that Ghanshyam belongs to Panchupalli panchayat where he has his homestead land and farmland. But he has encroached upon a patch of forest land and has been building a PMY house on it.
Villagers had strongly opposed it and taken up the issue with the BDO and the officials concerned, but the matter made no headway.
The villagers moved the High Court through a PIL. Adjudicating the case, the HC has directed a probe.
The Baliapal BDO refused to say anything on the issue as the matter was sub judice.
PNN