In a big blow to the Swachh Bharat Mission, a contractor in Nayagarh district has been found swindling away funds meant for constructing toilets. The more shocking fact is that while the corruption amounts to criminal proceedings against him, the administration has let him go on ‘humanitarian ground’ after he repaid the amount.
Contractor Padma Charan Mohanty of Ranpur block had been awarded the contract to construct latrines in Kulasar panchayat under Nirmal Bharat Yojana, now the Swachh Bharat Mission, between 2006 and 2009. However, he did not provide the financial assistance to the beneficiaries.
After some beneficiaries lodged a complaint with the administration, the Nayagarh Rural Water Supply and Sanitation (RWSS) Division Member Secretary conducted an inquiry in 2013 and observed that the contractor has embezzled the funds and stated in his report that the contractor would either have to pay the amount or construct toilets else it would be observed that he has misappropriated Government fund.
Following the report, the contractor deposited Rs 24, 125 through cheque on March 20, 2015 with the Government.
In the meantime, the Nayagarh RWSS Division Executive Engineer while replying to a RTI query on what action was taken against the contractor, informed on January 21 this year that there is no chance of initiating legal action against contractor Padma Charana Mohanty since he had returned the money. He further went on saying that Mohanty was let free on ‘humanitarian ground’ after he deposited the money.
It was further revealed that though 62 toilets have been allotted in Kulasara panchayat but during inquiry it was found that the beneficiaries against whom the toilets have been sanctioned are not staying in their villages for a long exposing rampant corruption.
Though an FIR has been lodged against Mohanty at the Ranpur police station for the irregularities, nothing tangible has happened as yet.