Action against 2 IAS Officers for Bungling Funds

BHUBANESWAR: The State Government has initiated action against two IAS officers for their alleged involvement in financial irregularities in Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) in Nuapada district.

The Panchayati Raj department has recommended action against the two officers to the General Administration department, official sources said.

 The CBI had recommended to the State Government for taking action against the two IAS officers __ Mrinalini Darswal and Janaki Ballav Mishra __ who were former collectors of Nuapada district.  Before initiating departmental action against these two senior officials, the GA department had sought their clarifications. After receiving their clarifications, Panchayati Raj department had recommended to the Government to take suitable action against the two officers.

 Detecting large-scale irregularities during implementation of the rural job scheme, the CAG, in its report, had pointed out utilisation of MGNREGS fund for development of a garden in the official quarter of Nuapada district collector. While the garden was developed during 2007-08, Mishra, during his tenure as the collector from April 29, 2011 to August 1, 2012, had compensated the amount from DRDA fund.

 Taking note of the illegal withdrawal of money in gross violation of the directive of the ministry, the CBI had recommended disciplinary action against both the IAS officers. While Darswal is presently on a Central deputation, Mishra is currently posted as the Additional Secretary to Governor at Raj Bhawan in Bhubaneswar.

 The SC ordered a CBI probe in 2011 following a writ petition filed by a Delhi-based NGO alleging corruption of `500 crore in MGNREGS in Balangir, Nuapada, Kalahandi, Koraput, Nabarangpur and Rayagada districts between May and June 2007.