Lokayukta Serves Notices To Odisha Sports Secretary, Director Over Alleged Irregularities

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Lokayukta has served notices to Sports department secretary Vishal Dev and Sports director Vineel Krishna in connection with the alleged irregularities in the relocation of Government College of Physical Education from Kalinga Stadium complex in Bhubaneswar.

Both the senior Odisha government officials have been directed to file response based on the complaint filed by Odisha Parents’ Association within six weeks. The next hearing will be held on January 24, 2020.

In its petition, the association alleged that the Sports and Youth Services department sanctioned funds to relocate the college from Kalinga Stadium complex to a private engineering college without any agreement. After the concerned engineering college refused, it was subsequent shifted to NMIET for which an expense of Rs 10 lakh was incurred towards transportation charges, the parents' association alleged.

The association has further alleged that there have been massive irregularities in the construction of hostels inside Kalinga Stadium complex. As per reports, Rs 7.72 crore was sanctioned for the construction of the hostel (150 boys and 150 girls).

Though the Lokayukta served the notices on December 9, both the senior officials could not be contacted for their comments on such allegations.