Rs. 18 lakh embezzled for MGNREGS job covers

NABARANGPUR: Lakhs of rupees have allegedly been embezzled in the purchase of plastic covers for MGNREGS job cards by the District Rural Development Agency (DRDA) here. The Vigilance Department has sought permission from the higher authorities of the department to book erring officials of DRDA and suppliers who are involved in the scam, said SP (Vigilance) Subash Das. The Vigilance sleuths have found that Rs. 18 lakh has been misappropriated in the procurement of covers for the job cards. The misappropriation was first reported in the district Vigilance and Monitoring Committee meeting that was organised here recently and presided over by MP Pradeep Majhi. The SP (Vigilance) said that during July last year, a letter was issued by DRDA higher authorities for purchase of plastic covers for the MGNREGS job cards, although there is no such provision in the MGNREGS guidelines. It was forwarded to the District Collector by the DRDA project director seeking permission for the purchase.  The Collector ordered the DRDA to float tender for the covers, but the DRDA officials allegedly decided to procure the covers at higher rates through the Regional Cooperative Marketing Society (RCMS), Nabarangpur. The RCMS was given an order to supply 1,60,300 covers amounting to Rs. 20,76,790. While the market price of a particular variety of cover is Rs. 2 each, it was allegedly purchased by the DRDA at Rs. 12.90 each and in the process, Rs. 18 lakh swindled.Dash informed that the RCMS, Nabarangpur, kept the deal under wraps while the actual supply was made by one Ganesh Bhandar of Jeypore. Sources said the RCMS agreed to the deal for just one per cent profit  margin.