Rourkela: In yet another incident of embezzlement of depositors’ money by postal staffers, the postmaster of Kumjharia post office under Biramitrapur police station is allegedly absconding after siphoning off over Rs 50 lakh from different postal savings accounts. The postmaster, identified as Kuntilata Ganju, has gone into hiding for more than a month which has led to a public outrage. Tuesday, the depositors became agitated and did not allow other staffers of the post office enter the office. When the protest escalated, Kuanrmunda police intervened and pacified the mob. The protesters alleged that the postmaster has siphoned off over Rs 50 lakh of their deposits and has been absconding since May 8, 2024. The embezzlement of postal deposits came to the fore when a woman had visited the post office to withdraw money and the postmaster started dilly-dallying on the process of withdrawal.
On not getting any satisfying answer, the woman went to the main post office at Kuanrmunda and found her account balance zero. She immediately filed a complaint with Biramitrapur police. Later, when the news spread like wildfire, other depositors also thronged the post office to know about the status of their accounts. However, much to their dismay, they also learnt the same thing following which they started agitating. Assistant superintendent Rourkela Postal Division has assured the depositors that their money would be paid back after a departmental enquiry. “We came to know about this a month back and the departmental enquiry is going on. I assure that the guilty will be punished. The depositors will get back their money,” he said.