Lokayukta Serves Notice To 6 Officials For 'Misappropriation' of Nagada Funds

Jajpur: Odisha Lokayukta has served notices to six government officials of Jajpur district over allegations of misappropriation of government funds allocated under various schemes for development of Nagada village which was in news following the death of 21 children due to malnourishment in 2016.

Official sources said that notices have been served to Project Director of Jajpur District Rural Development Agency, Sukinda Block Development Officer, Jajpur Town Executive Engineer (Rural Development-1), Executive Engineer (Electrical) Dhabalgiri, Executive Engineer (Rural Water Supply and Sanitation) and Jajpur district Social Welfare Officer.

The officials have been asked to file replies within six weeks while the matter is likely to come up for hearing on December 9, 2019, reports said.

It is pertinent to mention here that Odisha government had sanctioned Rs 23 crore for the development of infrastructure in tribal-dominated Nagada village in Jajpur district after 21 children died allegedly due to malnourishment and diseases in 2016.

The incident then had sparked public outrage and the state government drew flak from all quarters.