ED Issues Notice To 3 Engineers For MGNREGA Fund Embezzlement In Odisha’s Mayurbhanj

Bhubaneswar: The Enforcement Directorate (ED has issued notice to 3 engineers in connection with irregularities in MGNREGA works worth over Rs 3 crore in Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district.

According to sources, the government had sanctioned Rs 3.21 crore for various development works under MGNREGA in Podagada, Barehipani, Astakumar, Gurugadia and Dhalabani panchayats under Jashipur block in 2019-20 financial year.

Following allegation that a large amount of the fund was embezzled without executing the works, then Jashipur BDO Anupama Ghosh informed the district administration and started investigation.

On the basis of investigation report, the BDO had filed complaints against 25 persons in Jashipur police station.  The police had arrested 3 sarpanches and a PEO in this connection.

During questioning of the arrested persons, the entire scam came to light. The administration removed sarpanches of all five panchayats and the PEO. Besides, an assistant engineer, 2 junior engineers and another official were suspended for their alleged involvement in the irregularities.

Later, the case was handed over to Vigilance department. But the officials went absconding. However, on the basis of the revelations made by the sarpanches, the case was taken up by the ED.

After the suspended officials rejoined their jobs, the ED issued the notices to them. They included then assistant engineer Rajendra Kumar Patra, junior engineers Dibyalochan Nayak and Samir Kabi. The engineers have been told to appear before the ED on March 20.