Odisha Sarpanch Suspended For Embezzling Rs 11.72 Lakh Panchayat Funds

Jajpur: The Odisha government has suspended woman sarpanch of Gramnandipur panchayat under Dasarathapur block in Jajpur district for allegedly misappropriating public money.

The sarpanch, Sanjukta Mohanty was accused of embezzling government funds to the tune of Rs 11,72,500 meant for development of the panchayat under different schemes, according to the order issued by the Panchayati Raj & Drinking Water Department.

The funds were sanctioned by the Central Finance Commission (CFC).

Mohanty violated provisions of the Odisha Gram Panchayat Act, 1964, and abused her power, acting in a manner prejudicial to the interests of the panchayat’s residents, the order added.

Sources said when Mohanty siphoned off Rs 11.72 lakh from around Rs 12 lakh provided by CFC for carrying out poverty alleviation programmes in the panchayat during her previous tenure as the sarpanch from 2012 to 2017. She allegedly transferred Rs 11.72 lakh from the fund to her husband’s bank account and prepared fake utilisation papers with the assistance of the then panchayat executive officer.

The embezzlement was detected by Naba Kishore Malik, who was the sarpanch of the panchayat from 2017 to 2022. Mohanty was again elected as sarpanch of Gramnandipur in 2022.

Jajpur Collector P Anvesha Reddy asked the district panchayat officer to conduct a probe after activist Jayant Sadangi brought the issue to his notice last year and the allegations were later found to be true.

On basis of the report, the collector recommended the state government for necessary action.

The suspension order was issued on Wednesday under Section 115 (2) of the Odisha Gram Panchayat Act, 1964. Disciplinary proceedings will be initiated against Mohanty under Section 115 (1) of the same Act.