Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Vigilance today arrested Nilagiri Deputy Collector Parikhita Jena and three of his associates for misappropriating government funds to the tune of over Rs 1 crore.
According to Vigilance, on the allegation of misappropriation of Government money to the tune of over Rs One Crore of Odisha Mineral Bearing Area Development Corporation (OMBADC) funds without executing different developmental works in the Suliapada Block area during the financial years 2021-22 and 2022-23 by Parikhita Jena, OAS, (JB), Ex-BDO, Suliapada Block, Dist- Mayurbhanj, a verification was launched by Odisha Vigilance.
As per verification, Parikhita Jena, OAS, (JB) was working as Block Development Officer of Suliapada Block from 2019 to January 2023. He was dealing with the funds of Odisha Mineral Bearing Area Development Corporation (OMBADC) for financing projects relating to livelihood intervention, health, water supply, sanitation, and education through departments like Panchayatiraj/ITDA/Forest Department etc. Every year funds were placed by OMBADC to Suliapada Block to execute different developmental works.
As per procedure after execution of any developmental work under the OMBADC fund, the concerned JE and AE take measures and check measures of the work and prepare a bill to that effect. After the preparation of the bill, the BDO approves the same and then RTGS letters are issued to the Bank for transfer of the amount to the executants under the signature of the BDO.
Verification revealed that, during the years 2021-22 and 2022-23, Jena, BDO without any execution of work, issued RTGS letters to different banks on different dates to release Rs.1,19,79,788 in favour of his close associates, and misappropriated the same for his pecuniary gain, causing huge loss to the Government exchequer.
During searches conducted today, Jena failed to produce any documents or papers or any other proof in connection with the execution of any project and utilisation of funds. Also, recipients of the funds, Debadutta Das, Nigam Prasad Parida, Sujit Kumar Mohanty, Akhila Kumar Das, Dibya Lochan Das and Manoj Kumar Deo, and others failed to produce any proof in support of the execution of any government work or any supplies made on government orders, etc.
Hence, Parikhita Jena, Ex BDO Suliapada & present Deputy Collector Nilagiri Sub-division, Balasore has been arrested along with Debadutta Das, Ex-Cashier, Suliapada Block, A/p-Sr. Revenue Asst. Kaptipada Tahasil, Mayurbhanj, Sujit Kumar Mohanty and Akhil Kumar Das as they are liable U/s 13 (2) r/w 13(1) (a) PC (Amendment) Act,2018 / 409 IPC for misappropriation of Government funds to the tune of Rs.1,19,79,788/-, and will be forwarded to Court.
Efforts are on to nab the rest accused persons namely Nigam Prasad Parida who received Rs. 6,84,760, Proprietor Bindhani Computer, Baripada, who received Rs.3,30,500, Proprietor, Trilochan Traders, Berhampur in whose account a sum of Rs 3,50,000 was deposited, Dibyalochan Das who was given government funds Rs. 10,00,000 and Manoj Kumar Deo who received Rs. 8,14,112 of government funds. Investigation is continuing, the Vigilance said.
