Jajpur: Crores of rupees have reportedly been misappropriated in the name of maintenance of various water supply projects and launching of new projects during last summer in this district.
According to a report, the rural water supply and sanitation (RWS&S) department had taken up a slew of projects to meet water scarcity in the district. The department spent `1.38 crore for drilling of tube-wells, repair and maintenance of old piped water supply projects and launching of new projects. However, it has now come to light that not a single rupee has been spent on these accounts. Department engineers in connivance with service providing agencies have bungled most of the funds, it is alleged.
The district reeled under an acute shortage of water due to scant rain fall last year leaving wells and ponds dry. Instead of addressing such a grave issue, RWS&S authorities cashed in on the opportunity. They joined hands with the agencies and looted government money making false vouchers, locals alleged.
The twin water supply projects at Palada under Dasarathpur block and Balia under Bari block are cases in point.
The project at Palda has been lying defunct for seven years and the villagers didn’t get a drop of water last season. However, the officials have spent `49,307 for repair and maintenance of the project, the report said. Villagers like Ripunath Samal, Jagabandhu Sahoo, Rahasbihari Sahoo and Sudarshan Das said the project office is being painted every year but they don’t get water.
Similarly, the project at Balia was launched in 2010 but it too didn’t work. So, a second borewell was drilled at another place in the village but it produced water having more percentage of iron content rendering it unsuitable for human consumption. The department reportedly spent `1.79 lakh last year for the project’s upkeep. But the villagers claimed that they have not got a drop of water from the project.
Likewise, `1.13 crore and `22.5 lakh have respectively been spent on 14 piped water projects and drilling of nine tube-wells.
Executive engineer Amiya Kumar Parija of Chandikhol division said grants under the scheme should have been spent appropriately. However, the allegations would be probed and action would be taken against the guilty, Parija added. PNN
