State orders recovery of money

The Statesman, 13th August, 2008

The state government has ordered recovery of Rs 12.57 lakh from four engineers of water resources department following submission of vigilance report against them. The four engineers are Mr Girish Prasad Mishra, ex-assistant engineer, Anandapur barrage sub-division, Keonjhar, Mr Abhimanyu Giri, ex-JE of the same sub-division, Mr Mukundadev Upadhyaya, ex- JE, section-III, irrigation section, Agarpada and Mr Prasanna Kumar Das, ex- JE, water resources canal project division, Akhuapada. For alleged show of undue official favour to the contractor in execution of substandard work, recording of inflated measurement during execution of Soso branch Canal Road, a vigilance enquiry was initiated against them. During the vigilance enquiry, it was observed damage to the above road had occured within a span of two years of work. On the report of the anti-corruption wing, departmental proceeding was drawn up against the erring four and recovery of Rs 12.57 lakh was directed. Vigilance sources also informed that Mr Nirod Kumar Sethy, executive engineer, ret irrigation division, Bhawanipatna has been placed under suspension. During suspension period his headquarters has been fixed to office of the chief engineer, Rusikulya, Bansadhara and Nagabali Basin, Berhampur. Various establishments connected with Mr Sethy were searched by the vigilance sleuths following allegation of accumulation and possession of disproportionate assets. Properties worth more than Rs 50 lakh were detected.