Corruption allegations have been levelled against a former sarpanch in Cuttack district, with the present sarpanch approaching the District Collector alleging irregularities in the execution of several development projects. The matter relates to the Bahugram Gram Panchayat under Salepur block and was raised during the District Collector’s public grievance hearing on Tuesday.

The present sarpanch of Bahugram Gram Panchayat, Rashmita Mallick, submitted a written complaint against former sarpanch Milirani Bose at the public grievance hearing camp held in Salepur. In her complaint, Mallick alleged that bills were generated for multiple projects during the previous tenure, but the corresponding works were either incomplete or not executed at all.

Elaborating on the allegations, Rashmita Mallick said, “Several bills were issued, but no work was carried out on the ground. When villagers asked me about the Panchayat library, I checked the records and found that a bill had been generated, but no library exists. Similarly, people complained about a community toilet near Jatani. A bill was issued for that project as well, but the work was never executed. I first informed the BDO, who assured an inquiry, but as no action followed, I approached the District Collector.”

Former Sarpanch Denies Allegations

Former sarpanch Milirani Bose denied all the allegations. She claimed that the projects were completed during her tenure and demanded an investigation into the bills generated during the tenure of the present sarpanch, sources said.

Inquiry Committee Formed

Responding to the complaint, Cuttack District Collector Dattatraya Bhausaheb Shinde said an inquiry committee has been constituted to examine the allegations.

“This is the first such complaint we have received where a single work is alleged to have been shown under two different schemes. A committee comprising the Additional CDO, Executive Engineer and District Project Manager (RGSA) has been formed. The committee will submit its report within one month, and if any irregularities are established, appropriate action will be taken against those responsible,” the Collector said.

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The district administration said further action would be taken based on the findings of the inquiry committee.