Hinjilicut: A beneficiary under the Pradhan Matri Awas Yojana (PMAY) allegedly bribed a government employee of Ralab panchayat under Hinjilicut block in Ganjam district and an influential political leader for availing the Central fund for construction of the house.
The matter came to fore after a video of the incident went viral on social media. However, after the beneficiary lodged a complaint with BDO Prasanna Kumar Patra, the latter ordered a probe into the matter.
According to reports, in 2016-17, Dhwaja Pradhan of Deulasahi at Ralab village was nominated by block authorities to build a house under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana. Dhwaja received a work order bearing number- 125/2016-17, dated- 20.12.2016. He also received Rs 1.30 lakh in several installments. As per the scheme, though he has completed the house construction work within three months, he is eligible to get Rs 20,000 as an encouragement amount. However, to disburse the bonus amount, the village level worker (VLW) and a leader demanded bribe from Dhwaja, alleged his wife in a written complaint to the BDO.
“In the year 2016-2017, Dhwaja had received Rs 1.30 lakh against house construction work in four instalments. They were late to demand the bonus amount of Rs 20,000. DRDA officials have already been informed to disburse the same at the earliest,” said the BDO.
Meanwhile, the VLW refuted the allegations levelled against him.
On the other hand, BJP leader Debananda Mohapatra said that irregularities and fund embezzlement are rampant in the block. BJP will stage block-wide protests in the coming days, he said.
According to latest reports, BDO Patra said that Dhwaja’s wife, in a letter through the VLW admitted that she had been forced by some fellow villagers to lodge a written complaint.
PNN
