Panchayat officer suspended

BALASORE: The executive officer of Maitapur panchayat, Subash Maharana, was suspended by District Collector Akhila Bihari Ota on Tuesday. Maharana, along with a former sarpanch, has been accused of swindling Rs 3.10 lakh, meant for MGNREGS works.The action was taken in the wake of media reports, which led to a Vigilance inquiry. A report was submitted by Simulia BDO Dharam Hansda. “In connivance with former sarpanch of Maitapur Narahari Jena, the executive officer had withdrawn Rs 3.10 lakh in seven phases for a road improvement work. Neither the work order was approved nor any block official was aware of it. Prima facie he was found guilty,” Ota said.The Collector has also asked the Project Director of DRDA to take action against Jena as per the panchayati raj guidelines. While Jena had claimed that Maharana withdrew the amount by forging his signature, the latter following an inquiry by the BDO had deposited Rs 2.30 lakh in two instalments. Earlier, the BDO had lodged a written complaint with the police.Many more skeletons are likely to tumble  out of the cupboard with allegations doing rounds that many bills had been passed under the MGNREGS while projects like pond excavation and road work were done through machines.While the money has been withdrawn through job cards, in some places Rs 4 lakh each has been withdrawn against the work of a mere Rs 50,000. “All allegations will be inquired into,” said a Vigilance officer.