Even the dead sweated for K'pada NREGS projects!

If the records are to be believed, even the dead could descend on earth to work as labourers for NREGS projects in this coastal district. Curiously, they did not just slog and sweat, but happily withdrew their wages from bank.According to sources, allegations were leveled that large scale corruption took place in Singiri panchayat under Aul block in MNREGS works during 2013-14 financial year. locals alleged that to grab Government money, the names of many dead persons were enlisted in the muster roll.

One Upendranath Behera, a resident of Bankeswar village who died on August 12, 2006, worked as a labourer in June 2013 (after 7 years of his death) in a RD road construction in Singiri Panchayat. Even, Behera withdrew money on the account number -21864256283 from Singiri-based Allahabad Bank.

Similarly, another fellow villager, Kalandi Rout of Bankeswar village, who died on September 23, 2008, was also working as a labourer as per the muster roll of the Panchayat. Rout worked for the same road construction work in 2013. He also withdrew his wages in 2013 by giving signature. He had an account number, 21864187068, at Singiri-based Allahabad Bank from which he got his money. 

Similarly, Durgacharan Malik of Singiri village, who died on October 19, 2009, was also engaged as a labourer for the same project. He too withdrew his wages from the village bank by giving his signature. Another Pitambar lenka of Rautasahi, who died in 2012, was found in the muster roll as a labourer. He worked for construction of an irrigation road in March, 2014 and successfully withdrew his money.

On Friday, when the matter came to the knowledge of district Collector Debaraj Senapati, he paid a surprise visit to Singiri panchayat in order to conduct an inquiry. He visited the MNREGS project sites, inspected the documents and muster rolls of the panchayat. later, the Collector paid a visit to the Singiri-based Allahabad Bank and cross-checked the documents.Senapati stated that the inquiry was incomplete and he had directed the BDO of Aul to cross- check all the documents and muster rolls and submit a report soon.