The Government of Odisha with all its noble intentions has set up the Social Security and Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (SSEPD) Department to wipe out the tears of thousands of helpless Persons With Disabilities (PWDs), transgenders and senior citizens.
But even after seven years of its establishment since 2011, the distressed people have not benefitted much.
On the contrary, the department’s funds are grossly misutilised and embezzled by a section of officials.
There was great vision of President Awardee Collector V Karthikeyan Pandian to establish social security complex in all 30 districts of Odisha from which the social security services would be delivered to all distress persons from one places.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik added a plan to establish 30 old age homes to render free services to the neglected senior citizens.
Even after the enhancement of the budget from Rs25 crore to Rs2,500 crore, why the fate of PWDs, transgenders and senior citizens still feel neglected and are in distressIJ
Needless to say that there are massive irregularities and misuse of funds of the department and some of the officials are fattening their pockets ignoring the plight of the distressed lot.
The expenditure of the celebration of PWDs Day was Rs1,27, 27,000 out of which Rs30 lakh for tent, stall, light, sound and gate, Rs5 lakh for ration and catering, Rs5 lakh for ground security, Rs3 lakh for stage decoration, Rs1.8 lakh for 3 days tiffin for 3,000 participants, Rs lakh for sand art, Rs3 lakh for VI cricket match, Rs5 lakh for cultural programme, Rs90,000 for water bottle Rs5 lakh for 3 -days photography show, Rs2 lakh for drone camera, Rs12 lakh for anchor, Rs2 lakh for State level competition and prize distribution, Rs2.47 crore for district level and State level celebration etc. This shows how money has been spent injudiciously and carelessly by the department. Continued son page 4
Probe sought into SSEPD Department funds misuse
To add insult to injury, Rs245 crore is going to spent for appointment of cluster coordinators at panchayat level.
The department funds are merrily misutilized for luxurious stay of officers in five star hotels in lucknow and Delhi.
The first visual impaired OAS officer was posted in SSEPD department as district social security officer.
But he is neither given an office nor supporting staffers. Even the department forgets to put his nameplate within in a month. He is being treated as good as an outsourced class four employee. This is a burning example of what model of service the State Government is going to establish for the PWDs.
The Government has to prove fairness by undertaking a CBI probe into misappropriation of funds of the department without delay, say visually-challenged teachers Ganeswar Baral and Prakash Kumar Mohapatra.s