As many as 48 candidates got appointment as Village level Workers (VlWs) on January 13, 2014 in Bargarh district, according to letter No-42 issued by the district Collector.
But doubts over selection of right candidates mounted as one Debananda Panda was on May 10 found guilty of producing a forgery mark-sheet to get the job during an inquiry. The district administration has suspended him.
Now allegations have been made that three more candidates have got VlW posts by producing forgery cast certificates. Chitrasen Bag, secretary of the Kaibartta Samaj (a society of SC category), Padampur subdivision has alleged that one Manoj Pandey, originally a Kulta (OBC), has produced a SC certificate and grabbed the VlW post in Padampur block. Bag has lodged a complaint with the district administration to this effect seeking action against Pandey.
According to Bag, Manoj, son of Narayan Sahu of Sanimal under Sohela block, was adopted by one Jibardhan Pandey belonging to a SC caste in his childhood. Jibardhan has now three sons and two daughters.
Similarly, two VlWs, with Mahanand as surnames and working in the same block, belong to Christian religion by conversion but they have got appointment by producing cast proofs as SC category candidates.
Sources said the two Mahandands who were originally SC by birth lost their caste status after they were converted into Christianity. The Kaibartta Samaj has demanded that the district administration conduct an enquiry and take action soon. It threatened to take to the streets if the demand remains unheeded.
On the other hand, the district administration has started an investigation into the allegations, sources said.