The district administration has taken action against two community resource persons (CRP) for alleged violation of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) in Kendrapara.
The District Collector reportedly disengaged Puspanjali Mohanty, the Community Resource Person(CRP) of Talasanga gram panchayat under the Mahakalapara block, and Narmada Basantia, the CRP of Marshaghai block, from the service as the two were found actively taking part in a political meeting and were seen blowing conch and showering flowers on a leader.
The Collector, in a letter dated 29.04.2024 stated that the Additional Sub-Collector, Kendrapara, had probed the allegation and submitted the enquiry report on 30.04.2024.
”After careful consideration of the report of the Additional Sub-Collector of Kendrapara, Puspanjali Mohanty and Narmada Basantia are hereby disengaged from the service,” the letter from the Collector read.
The action was taken in pursuant to a complaint against Puspanjali Mohanty lodged by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) before the Chief Electoral Officer of Odisha.
“As a Community Resource Person, her involvement in political campaigning raises concerns about a conflict of interest and potential misuse of her official position for political gains. This action directly contravenes Section 129 of The Representation of People's Act, 1951,” the BJP stated in the complaint.
However, comment of the Collector has not been received.