The Fisheries Department has suspended three officers who are allegedly involved in large-scale financial irregularities. The officers under suspension are District Fisheries Officer Santosh Kumar Dalei, former DFO and present Deputy Director of Fisheries, Keonjhar, Ajay Kumar Bhoi, and Additional District Fisheries Officer (Marine) Pradip Kumar Ghosh.
Notably, the action was taken by the department following allegation of one Prasant Pradhan, an advocate. He had alleged financial embezzlement to the tune of about Rs 70 crore in the district in the implementation of promoting intensive freshwater aquaculture by excavating new ponds to augment fish production and provide a livelihood to the fish farmers through Government schemes like Matsya Pokhari Yojana (MPY) and Prime Minister Matsya Sampad Yojana (PMMSY).
He drew the attention of the district Collector and many others concerned after obtaining data from the department regarding the schemes through RTI. Further, he claimed that he possessed a purported audio conversation between an official of the Fisheries department and a tout regarding the disbursement of subsidies and percentages.
He alleged that the Government money to the tune of crores has been siphoned in the name of subsidies by the so-called beneficiaries in connivance of the district Fisheries department and Revenue department officials.
After receiving complaints, the Secretary of the Fisheries department had sought explanations from these officers. The replies from their end while were delayed, the Director was asked to place the trio under suspension.