Koraput: The BJD on Sunday alleged large-scale misappropriation of funds worth nearly Rs 50 crore under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) and other govt welfare schemes in Koraput and Nabarangpur districts, demanding a high-level investigation into the alleged fraud involving postal department employees.Ruling BJP’s Goutam Samantaray dismissed the charges, and, in turn, accused the BJD of trying to politicise the issue. “The BJD is making baseless allegations only to mislead the public and divert attention from irregularities that allegedly took place during their own tenure. If any fraud has occurred, the govt will conduct a fair investigation and strict action will be taken against those found guilty, irrespective of their position,” Samantaray said.Addressing media at Jeypore, former minister Rabi Narayan Nanda, former Nabarangpur MP Pradeep Majhi and former Koraput MP Jhina Hikaka alleged that crores of rupees meant for poor workers under the rural employment scheme were siphoned off through fraudulent transactions in several post offices of Koraput and Nabarangpur districts.They alleged that as per the central govt guidelines, wages under MGNREGS are to be directly credited to the bank or post office accounts of beneficiaries. However, some field-level postal employees, including sub-postmasters, allegedly manipulated beneficiary records and withdrew funds illegally.“The fraud was allegedly committed by changing KYC details in the system and using fake thumb impressions to withdraw money from the accounts,” alleged Nanda.According to the BJD, the alleged irregularities were reported in Dabugam, Jharigam and Kodinga post offices in Nabarangpur district, besides Koraput.Former MP Majhi alleged this appears to be a well-organised racket involving multiple people. “Despite allegations surfacing earlier, no stringent action has been taken against the officials involved,” he claimed.Hikaka demanded immediate intervention by the state and central authorities. “The money siphoned off from beneficiaries must be recovered and paid back to the genuine account holders,” he said.Reacting to the allegations, Samantaray said that the present state govt is committed to transparency and accountability in the implementation of welfare schemes. “Unlike the previous regime, this govt will not shield corrupt officials. The interests of genuine beneficiaries will be protected at all costs,” he said.
