Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Vigilance sleuths on Wednesday arrested Nilagiri deputy collector Parikhita Jena and three others for allegedly misappropriating Rs 1.19 crore of Odisha Mineral Bearing Area Development Corporation (OMBADC).
According to a Vigilance release, Jena allegedly misappropriated the funds without executing developmental works in the Suliapada block area of Mayurbhanj district during 2021-22 and 2022-23 while serving as the Block Development Officer (BDO).
Searches were conducted by 6 teams, comprising 2 Additional SP, 4 DSPs, 6 inspectors, 7 ASIs, and other supporting staff to verify the allegation and collect evidence, it added.
As per verification, Jena was dealing with the funds of OMBADC for financing projects relating to livelihood intervention, health, water supply, sanitation, education through departments like Panchayati Raj/ITDA/Forest Department etc. Every year funds were placed by OMBADC to Suliapada Block to execute different developmental works. As per procedure after execution of any developmental work under OMBADC fund, the concerned JE and AE take measures and check measures of the work and prepared bill to that effect. After preparation of Bill, the BDO approves the same and then RTGS letters issued to the Bank for transfer of amount to the executants under the signature of the BDO.
Verification revealed that, during 2021-22 and 2022-23, Jena without any execution of work, issued RTGS letters to different banks on different dates to release Rs.1,19,79,788/- in favour of his close associates, and misappropriated the same for his pecuniary gain, causing huge loss to the government exchequer, the Vigilance said.
During searches, Jena failed to produce any documents or papers or any other proof in connection with the execution of any project and utilisation of funds. Recipients of the funds – Debadutta Das, Nigam Prasad Parida, Sujit Kumar Mohanty, Akhila Kumar Das, Dibya Lochan Das and Manoj Kumar Deo, and others also failed to produce any proof in support of execution of any government work or any supplies made on government orders, etc
Therefore, Jena, was arrested along with Debadutta Das, ex-cashier, Suliapada Block, Sujit Kumar Mohanty and Akhil Kumar Das as they are liable U/s 13 (2) r/w 13(1) (a) PC (Amendment) Act,2018 / 409 IPC for misappropriation of Government funds to the tune of Rs.1,19,79,788/-
Efforts are on to nab the rest accused persons – (1) Nigam Prasad Parida who received Rs 6,84,760/-, (2) Proprietor Bindhani Computer, Baripada, who received Rs.3,30,500/- (3) Proprietor, Trilochan Traders, Berhampur in whose account a sum of Rs 3,50,000/- was deposited (4) Dibyalochan Das who was given government funds Rs. 10,00,000/- and (5) Manoj Kumar Deo who received Rs. 8,14,112/- of government funds. Investigation is continuing.
