The Chief Secretary on the basis of The Pioneer story, ‘Energy Dept directions violated’ on November 28, 2020 had sought a report from the Odisha Power Generation Corporation (OPGC) authorities regarding the illegal appointment of Human Resources Vice-President Rajendra Senapati.
Later, Energy Department Secretary and OPGC Chairman Nikunja Bihari Dhal on December 29, 2020 formed a two-member inquiry committee consisting of Additional Secretary Dhananjay Swain and FA-cum-Additional Secretary Bidhyadhar Nayak to jointly inquire into the allegations of the Odisha Bidyut Mahasangha and submit a report within two weeks.
But reliable sources alleged that instead of investigating into the accusations against the Human Resources VP, the committee members connived with the former and held secret parleys with him in a luxury hotel in the Chandrasekharpur area. Later, they gave a clean chit to him and the Energy Secretary also surprisingly remained silent over it and ignored the Chief Secretary’s orders.
It is alleged that Senapati has a chequered history of being removed from the service due to his involvement in corruption and anti-management activity in the organisations he previously worked.
His service was axed from OPTCL because of alleged involvement in corrupt practices, collecting money from recruiting staffs in Gridco and OPTCL, and bribing senior Government officers by supplying bribe money. He was shown the door by previous employers for his dubious character and indulgence in corrupt activities.
During his posting at OPTCL, he indulged in various corrupt practices. His appointment in OPTCL was also challenged and the OPTCL union officers' association sent representations to the Governor, 5T Secretary and Energy Secretary about his illegal appointment and corrupt activities in the position of Director (HRD).
Now, Senapati is repeating the same wrongdoings in the OPGC and back to his old ways. But due to his bureaucratic influence, the complaints pending against him have been put in cold storage and no action has been initiated even though the Chief Secretary has sought reports on the allegations.