Puri: Vigilance sleuths Friday began a probe into alleged irregularities in construction of three makeshift shelters for Habishyalis in the pilgrim city here.
A vigilance team comprising inspector Surendra Nath Rayguru, assistant engineers Durga Charan Das and Santosh Kumar Beura and departmental officer Suresh Kumar Jena visited three such arrangements at Narendrakona, Bagala Dharmashala and Mochisahi Square and started the investigation.
Vigilance officials measured the lengths, widths and heights of these shelters. They also verified details regarding the lavatories and other facilities at the temporary accommodations.
“A complaint has been lodged in connection with the alleged irregularities in construction of these tents. We have launched a probe at the behest of vigilance director. Now we are looking into the technical aspects of these arrangements. Soon we will register a case and investigate into the financial and other aspects,” vigilance inspector Bishwa Prakash Patnaik said.
The state government had launched a scheme to provide free accommodation and food to at least 2,000 Habishyalis during the holy month of Kartik this year. The district administration had asked the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) to build at least three makeshift houses for the elderly women. A Cuttack-based private firm had been roped in by the NHAI for the purpose. Sources said `69.56 lakh was earmarked for erecting these shelters.
The scheme was formally launched October 15 and devout women were allowed to reside in the shelter houses. However, the administration closed down two such houses and shifted the Habishyalis to concrete buildings after two incidents of short-circuit occurred recently.
Alleging irregularities in the construction, activists of Sachetana Nagarika Mancha had lodged a complaint with the vigilance.
At least eight Habishyalis were admitted to the district headquarters hospital (DHH) here with health complications.
Three women were also rushed to the DHH and another was referred to the SCB Medical College and Hospital Thursday.
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