local MlA Kishore Chandra Tarei recently alleged before district Collector Debaraj Senapati that Kendrapada Municipality Executive Officer (EO) Sricharan Behera and Junior Engineer Prasant Das failed to spend a sum of `1 crore under the Special Problem Funds for carrying out repair and renovation works of religious institutions and village clubs.
Tarei alleged that the EO and the JE are not showing any interest to carry out the proposed project works despite repeated request.
The MlA alleged that the duo officials lack sync for which the funds could not be spent.
Meanwhile several eligible persons were also deprived of ration cards whereas hundreds of ineligible persons of the municipality have been enjoying the subsidised food grains by obtaining ration card under the NFSA only due to lack of proper inquiry made by the teams under the supervision of the Executive Officer, who is designated as Nodal Officer for the NFSA ration card work in the municipality. The Nodal Officer failed to co-ordinate the inquiry teams properly by taking the help of local Marketing Inspector for which such situation has prevailed.
“It has come to my notice that hundreds of affluent persons having owned two storied and three storied buildings with four wheelers and established businesses have been enjoying the benefits of NFSA.
It is only due to the lack of proper inquiry made by the Nodal Officer,” alleged Tarei.
When contacted, Executive Officer Behera, stated, “A fortnight back, the municipality authority received a fund of Rs 1 crore under Special Problem Funds .We have already given notice to the agencies for submitting the land records, maps and other relevant documents for starting the project works in their areas within a week.”
We have decided to undertake 60 projects within the municipality. Some of the projects estimate work is underway, he stated, rubbishing the allegation against him.
“I have directed the Executive Officer to speed up the NFSA work and also execute projects sanctioned under the Special Problem Funds, else action would be taken against the EO,” stated Senapati.