₹42 lakh MGNREGA scam: Vigilance arrests AE, JE in Kandhamal

Kandhamal: A significant corruption scam has come to the fore in Kotagarh block of Kandhamal district, wherein two government engineers have been apprehended for allegedly embezzling more than Rs 42 lakh under the MGNREGA scheme.

Sources in Vigilance department said the Assistant Engineer, Prashant Kumar Patra and Junior Engineer, Prafulla Kumar Behera were taken into custody by Phulbani Vigilance team on charges of preparing fake bills and misappropriating more than Rs 42 lakh of MGNREGA funds for Dharakote Gram Panchayat.

In this regard, Executive Officer of Dharakote Panchayat, Sutanya Mahakud and Kotagarh Block Assistant Development Officer, Kanshiram Digal were earlier suspended by the Kandhamal district administration.

The case was later transferred to Vigilance for proper probe by Zilla Parishad.

Based on the findings of Vigilance, both the Engineers have been arrested. Confirming the arrests, Phulbani Vigilance DSP, Hemant Kumar Mohanty said further investigation in the case is in progress.