Direction of Lokayukta, Odisha undermined by Odisha Govt.-1

SL.No.

 Date

Subject matter

1

4.9.19

A  complaint 
was  filed ( by Pradip Pradhan, M-9937843482)
  before  Lokayukta, Odisha  seeking 
an  inquiry  into  serious irregularities , corruption and misappropriation  of Rs. 8 lakh in the  development 
work  undertaken by the
Sarapanch  and panchayat Executive
Officer  of Anlo Gram Panchayat and  non-deposit of the weekly hat  collection amount under Niali  Block 
of Cuttack  district

2

21.9.19

  Taking 
cognizance  of the  Case LY 
No. 301/2019, Lokayukta, Odisha  issued 
notice  to the  Collector, Cuttack  to file 
response.

3

22.12.19

 Acting 
on  the inquiry  report of SDPO, Cuttack , the  Collector, Cuttack  vide letter No. 1220/GP addressed to
the  Director, Panchayat Raj &
DW   recommended  for 
initiation of  disciplinary  proceedings 
against  Snigdha Mohanty,  Sarapanch, 
Anlo GP  under  section 115 
of  the  Odisha Gram Panchayat Act.  The inquiry 
report  was  submitted in the  office 
of Lokayukta.

4

31.12.19

 While  
considering  the  inquiry 
report The  Lokayukta
called  for  comments from  the Collector, Cuttack  as to whay 
immediate action is proposed  to
be  taken  against 
Sarapanch, Anlo GP   and  directed 
to Govt.  to complete  the 
inquiry  within 3  months.  

5

27.1.20

 The 
Govt.  in dept. of  Panchayat Raj  issued 
letter  for  suspension 
of Sarapanch  by framing  charges 
on various  points.

6

1.2.20

BDO, Niali GP  passed order  under Rule 21 (2) of the GP Manual  to take over  the charge 
of Sarapanch by the Niali Sarapanch.

7

14.2.20

Mrs. Signdha Mohanty,
suspended Sarapanch  filed  the case  
WPC 5258 /20   in High
Court  challenging  suspension order  of the Govt. On 14.2.20, the  High Court 
passed   order  of status quo  and did 
not  pass  any order on  suspension 
of Sarapanch. Naib Sarapanch 
continues  as  Sarapanch 
in Anlo GP.

8

29.5.20

 Astonishingly, Govt. issued  order 
no. 8883  to reinstate  Sarapanch by withdrawing  the 
suspension  without  completing the   inquiry into allegation of corruption
again Sarapanch.  Sarapanch took
over  charge  in Anlo Gram Panchayat.

9

18.6.20

The  Lokayukta passed order on revocation  on the following  observation:

(a)  We
failed  to understand how the  revocation order  passed when 
there is serious allegation  of
financial irregularities.

(b) Accordingly
order passed  for  personal appearance  of the Addl. Secretary  with 
records  and to file  show cause 
the ground  of revocation.

10

16.7.20

Govt. of Odisha in the  Panchayat Raj Dept.  filed 
the  show cause  on the 
following points

(a)   
Felt to be a fit case to lift suspension  on the 
delinquent  Sarapanch  in the 
interest of public  of Grama .

(b)  
Sarapanch played in key role  in the GP 
to manage COVID 19 
PANDEMIC.  This argument did
not  satisfy  the Lokayukat Bench during hearing.

But the
Dept. did not complete  the  inquiry , though  around one year passed  even after order of the lokayukta.

11

16.9.20

 The 
complainant  filed  the 
objection  in the Lokayukta  and 
prayed  for  action against  Sarapanch 
and Panchayat Executive Officer 
and  recovery  of the amount.

12

13.10.20

The 
Lokayukta  passed the  final order

Directing  the 
Secretary and the Addl. Secretary, Dept. of Panchayat Raj  to immediately  re-visit 
the  order passed  on 29.5.20 and pass  a freshed 
reasoned  order  as per law , by also taking  into account  of the order dt. 14.2.20  of the hon’ble High Court passed  in WP ( C) 5258 /20.

 Recommended to Director, Dept. of Panchayat
Raj  , with  changed 
situation now after lifting  of
lockdown , he must  endeavor to
conclude the proceedings intiated 
against Smt. Signdha Mohanty 
within 3 month from today.

13

19.11.20

 The Govt. is yet  to take 
any  action against Sarapanch ,
Anlo GP  and the  order 
of the Lokayukta is gathering dust 
in the Panchayat Raj Dept.