NABARANGPUR: The family of BJD legislator Manohar Randhari has landed in controversy after a section of regional electronic media reported that his father and wife had worked for 63 days jointly under MGNREGA in 2009. The document circulated here indicates a job card bearing No.12549 was issued under the schemes in the name of Damburu Randhari, Manohar’s father, as head of the family.
It was also mentioned in a form maintained under the scheme that Damburu, along with Urmila, wife of Manohar, were provided work as applied and worked for 49 days and 14 days, respectively during 2009. They were also paid ` 7,993 for the labour they rendered.
What has shocked people is that Urmila is serving as a district-level officer in Supply Department since long and Damburu is a ‘B’ class licence holder contractor since 2010. BJP district youth wing president Kanhu Dash demanded a high-level inquiry by the Chief Minister.
Manohar has denied the allegations terming it as baseless. Manohar, who is also the Chairman of District Planning Committee, said his father and wife never worked under the scheme. It is a conspiracy by the Opposition, he added.
The MLA said he would initiate investigation into the issue and person responsible would be punished. Urmila too has denied the allegation saying it was a conspiracy to defame her.
Urmila has filed an FIR at the local police station against the channel that reported the incident on Thursday here.