Jayapur: Vigilance officials Saturday arrested a former gram rozgar sevak (GRS) and a village assistant for allegedly misappropriating more than Rs 12.33 lakh government funds meant for development projects in Banuaguda gram panchayat under Kundura block of Koraput district.
The accused were identified as former Banuaguda GRS G Shankar and village assistant Laikhana Nayak. Both were produced before the Special Vigilance Judge in Jayapur. Shankar is currently serving as a GRS in Lamtaput block in the district. According to Vigilance officials, the accused allegedly misappropriated Rs 12,33,435 by submitting fabricated records and false information regarding the execution of four major development projects funded under various government schemes in Banuaguda panchayat.
The accused allegedly manipulated official records to show that the development works had been completed and government funds utilised. However, investigations revealed that the projects had not been executed on the ground. A complaint was subsequently lodged with the Vigilance department, alleging large-scale financial irregularities and fraudulent withdrawal of government funds. Based on the allegations, Jayapur Vigilance police registered Case No. 23/2026 against the accused, officials said.
