Odishatv Bureau

Cuttack: Amid a series of allegations of irregularities, financial mismanagement in Cuttack Central Cooperative Bank has come to the fore. It is alleged that money to the tune of over Rs 1 crore has been siphoned off from the bank accounts of several people in the district.

The victims have alleged Odisha Cooperation Minister Ranendra Pratap Swain's brother, Birendra Pratap Swain's role in the scam. Birendra is the president of the Cuttack Central Cooperative Bank.

As per the allegations, the officials of the cooperative society had taken signatures of the accountholders on cheques earlier and transferred their money to the account of PR Parida - a peon of the cooperative society.

"When I inquired about the money, our secretary said it (transfer of money) has been done as per the instruction of the local MLA and the Minister's brother," alleged Pradipta Kumar Rout, a victim.

"No one is listening to us. Finally, we will be forced to take extreme steps and the Cooperation Minister will be responsible for it," he added.

Though OTV tried to contact the Minister and his brother, their responses could not be obtained.

On the other hand, Chief Executive Officer of the Central Cooperative Bank, Ashok Kumar Das said that a misappropriation of over Rs 1 crore was found after an investigation was carried out by the deputy registrar of the cooperative societies of Cuttack division.

Das further said that the Economic Offences Wing of the Crime Branch is now investigating the case and two officials have already been suspended based on the report of the deputy registrar.

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