In the wake of massive irregularities in the Biju Pacca Ghar and Indira Awas Yojana in Sundargarh district, the State Vigilance has registered a case against one former Panchayat Extension Officer (PEO) and former Gram Rojgar Sebak (GRS) of the district.
Sources said acting on a complaint of favoring some family members in allotment of houses under IAY scheme, the Vigilance SP, Sambalpur had directed DSP Vigilance, Sundargarh P Kisan to conduct an inquiry and submit a report. After conducting the investigation, Kisan submitted a detail report recently, in which he found clear evidences of the irregularity and strongly recommended for registration of a case.
According to sources, one Dilip Kumar Patel, a native of Sundargarh district was working as a VlW cum PEO in Khatkhurbahal Gram Panchayat under Kutra block of Sundargarh district from April 2013 to August 2015. Similarly, Dhanian Dhanuar, a native of Falsakani village was working as Sarpanch of Khatkurbahal and Md Junaid Alam, a native of Khatkurbahal, was working as GRS of the same village during that time. One Nurum Nisha, wife of late Md Yusuf, and mother of Md Junaid Alam, was allotted a house under IAY during January 2015 by the then PEO Dilip Patel. Nisha had received Rs 75,000 in three instalments and had submitted an undertaking that none of her family members was a beneficiary of the IAY house. As per the formalities, she also had given an undertaking that none of her family members was a Government servant, has no pucca ghar. She had stated that her family income was less than Rs 12,000 per annum.
During inquiry, it was found that Md Yusuf, husband of Nurum Nisha, was a Government teacher and after his death, Nisha has been receiving Government pension, but she was allotted a house under the IAY. Her son Md Awes Alam, also has been appointed as the peon of the school on compassionate ground. Besides, the beneficiary has also a pucca ghar and also owner of a Bolero vehicle, prior to allotment of the IAY house.
During investigation, it was also revealed that three more of family members like Md Jawed Alam (son), Tanmira Khatun (daughter) and Md Tahasin (son-in-law of Nurum Nisha) were paid Rs 75,000 each for the same. It was found that all four IAY houses were constructed over one patch of 2,000 sqft plot facing each other and one RCC roof.
During inquiry it was found that, the family possesses as many as four tippers, besides the Bolero vehicle.
Significantly, all the amounts were released by the then BDO of Kutra block, on the recommendation of GRS Md Junaid Alam. The final verification certificate and completion certificate were also submitted by him.
“During the investigation it was established that the former PEO Dilip Patel and former GRS Md Junaid Alam connived to sanction the houses. I recommended registration of a case and accordingly cases have been registered against these five persons,” said DSP Vigilance Kissan.