The recent Vigilance inquiry into the alleged lED bulb purchase scam in the Jharsuguda district’s Belpahar Municipality has created a furore in the bureaucratic circles of Belpahar.
Sources said Vigilance officers have found many irregularities in the lED bulb purchases and the municipality’s present and former Chairmen and Executive Officers are under scanner.
All attempts to take version of incumbent Chief Executive Officer Tapas Ranjan Jena turned futile as he didn’t receive phone calls. During investigation, the Vigilance team inspected some lED bulbs on roadside electric poles and came to know that while two high-max lights were working properly, one was defective.
On the surface, the linemen receiving the bulbs without signature and the concerned storekeeper are also under the scanner. The Executive Officer who signed the cheque in favour of the lED supply agency would also be probed, said sources.
When contacted, former Chairperson Rasmirekha Mishra said no irregularities committed in purchase of bulbs during her tenure and she had not signed any order for payment. Present Chairman Parsuram Sahu did not say anything on the matter.