Misuse of public funds by the Odisha bureaucracy is common under the Naveen Patnaik-led BJD Government. Many bureaucrats spend public money for their luxury and comfort, according to their wish and fancies.
In last few years, RTI has been used by RTI Activists across the State to bring to limelight the huge misuse of public money by Odisha bureaucrats who are at helm of affairs and dictate terms for renovation of their office and residence and other work, said RTI activist Pradip Pradhan.
It has been found that when an officer joins in new post, he or she immediately starts renovating his or her office mindlessly without bothering about its requirement and last repair work done, Pradhan said.
In such an incident which has come to light the Executive Engineer, Kalahandi Roads and Buildings (R&B) has provided the information that an amount of Rs 44 lakhs has been spent for renovation of residence and office of the district Collector within six years, he said.
In 2010- 2011, Rs 10 lakh, in 2011 - 2012, Rs 2 lakh, in 2012- 2013 , Rs 12.89 lakh, in 2013 - 2014, Rs 4.44 lakh, in 2014 - 2015, Rs 2.90 lakh and in 20 15- 2016, Rs 8.24 lakh was spent on renovation of the office and residence of the Kalahadi Collector.
This information has been revealed based on a RTI application submitted to the PIO of the Kalahandi Collector seeking information about renovation of residence and office of Collector from 2010-11 to 2015-16.