During the current Kharif season, the Odisha PVTG Empowerment and Livelihoods Improvement (OPELIP) purchased 37 quintals of ginger seed worth Rs 5,18,000 for supplying to the tribals here. But the seeds supplied to the 211 beneficiaries under the Paudi Bhuyan Development Agency (PBDA) in Jamaradihi under Pallahara Sub-Division did not germinate and rather rotted in soil.
The seed was purchased by the OPELIP from the Orissa Consumer Co-Operative Federation Limited (OCCFL) and supplied to the beneficiaries on June 30 without observing agricultural practices followed by the tribals prior to supply.
The beneficiaries alleged before Sub-Collector Ajit Pradhan on July 15 about the seed. Later, the matter was inquired by the OPELIP staff. The Sub-Collector observed that standard procedures were not followed while purchasing the seed. The experts in the Purchase Committee were not consulted.
After this, Sub-Collector Pradhan directed to the PBDA not to pay the cost of the seed. Meanwhile, the Sub-Collector, displeased with the activity of the PBDA, has referred the matter to the Collector, Angul on July 17.