In Paikmal block office of the Bargarh district, PC is going on in broad daylight here, alleged a number of local people, including Niroj Pani, a conscious citizen.
“For different developmental works, the MLA, BDO, Chairman, AE and JE are taking 22 per cent of the bill amount as PC without any hesitation, and hence, the quality of work and its longevity go for a toss,” said Pani.
Citing a specific example, he said that Rs 3.5 lakh was billed in the name of PEO Manoj Adabar for a cement concrete (CC) road and renovation of a classroom of Hirapur village of the block.
Adabar entrusted the work to two ward members of the village, Biswambar Patra and Madhusudan Pradhan, to execute the works. And after completion of the works, Rs 3.5 lakh was transferred to Adabar’s bank account. Later, Adabar transferred Rs 2.50 lakh to the account of ward member Madhusudan Pradhan. But when the ward members protested the low payment, Adabar clarified that he paid Rs 77,000 towards PC to the officers of the block and Rs 16,000 towards royalty.
After knowing this from Adabar, the two ward members brought it to the notice of the BDO of Paikmal.
Further, Pani wanted to know it from PEO Adabar, who admitted that he paid Rs 77, 000 to the black officials towards PC. “If it is true, the CM needs to review his campaign to stop PC in Government offices, as a lion’s share is going to the pocket of the Sarkari Babus,” said Pani.
When contacted, Paikmal BDO Surendra Meher said that the matter hadcome to his notice. “After knowing it, I have asked the GPO to inquirethe matter,” Meher informed.
However, Pani demanded for a revaluation of the works including quality testing of the CC road by Vigilance department’s civil wing.