Odishatv Bureau

Cuttack/Jajpur: In 2018, private companies were found misusing the ‘Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana’ (PMAY) in Odisha and now in 2019, instances of massive mismanagement in allotment of houses to people has come to fore.

A family from Taranjia village in Jajpur district has been allotted four houses under different housing schemes. One of the said family members, Rabindra Parida is reportedly a ruling-BJD supporter and former president of the panchayat.

In 2000-01, he had reportedly received Rs 22,300 under ‘HUDCO’ scheme. In 2015-16, he got another house under the PMAY scheme. Besides, his two sons, Bipin and Bikramjeet have reportedly received houses under ‘Indira Awas Yojana’ (2003) and ‘Biju Pucca Ghar Yojana’ (2018-19), respectively.

However, when Bipin was once again allotted a house under PMAY scheme in 2019-20, locals of Taranjia and social activists moved the Lokayukta which reportedly issued notice to the Dharmasala BDO to appear before it for hearing on the matter.

RTI activist Sarbeswar Behura said, “It’s unfortunate that the family of Rabindra Parida has received four houses and even the name of Rabindra is in the waiting list of beneficiaries of the housing scheme.”

Refuting the allegations, Rabindra said that his second wife and two sons don’t stay with him. “We have separate houses. I had got Rs 75,000 in 2015 for house. My name is also not in the waiting list. How can I get it again? I don’t know on what basis the allegation has been made,” he added.

“Allegation has come against Rabindra Parida that his family has received four houses. We are investigating the matter. Stern action will be taken against the accused, if the allegation is found true,” said Dharmasala BDO, Hemant Kumar Swain.

While such irregularities in housing schemes are surfacing each passing day, lapses in disbursement of cyclone Fani Assistance are also plenty. During OTV's on-ground check, massive irregularities were found with couples applying for Fani assistance separately while dead persons names figured in the list of beneficiaries.

Subash Ojha and his wife Sanjukta Ojha of Katarpa panchayat in Cuttack district live in one house, but both have received Fani assistance separately. Similarly, other couples of the same panchayat- Kalandi and Manjulata, Surendra and Swarnalata- had applied differently and all four have received assistance.

However, Subash and Sanjukta claimed that they have not received any benefit and suspect the concerned officials to be behind the fraud. Likewise, Kalandi and Manjulata also refuted the claims alleging error on part of officials.

Fani assistance has also been disbursed in the name of dead persons like Susil Nanda and also Ajay Kumar Lenka of Jaguleipada, who died 10 years ago.

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