Allegations of Misuse in Rainwater Conservation Scheme: Calls for Vigilance Inquiry in Rayagada
Rayagada: The implementation of a ₹16 lakh rainwater conservation scheme in Rayagada has come under scrutiny following allegations of fund misappropriation. Reports suggest that government officials from seven departments absorbed grants without executing any actual work, raising serious concerns about financial mismanagement.
The scheme, initiated in 2020, aimed to improve groundwater levels and mitigate future water scarcity. As part of the plan, seven government offices on the outskirts of the city were selected for the conservation project. These included the District Collector’s office, District Council, District Planning, District Transport, Municipality office, Circuit House, and the Public Works Department’s Dak Bungalow. While four offices were allotted ₹1 lakh each, three received ₹2 lakh each. However, despite a total budget allocation of ₹16 lakh, no tangible work was reportedly carried out.
Shockingly, even the District Collector’s office was not spared from the alleged irregularities, with claims of ₹2.5 lakh being siphoned off through fraudulent billing. The lack of transparency and accountability has fueled demands for a vigilance investigation.
The situation has raised questions about the efficiency of oversight mechanisms, especially considering that these misappropriations reportedly took place during the COVID-19 period. Observers argue that executing such a scheme during a crisis was already challenging, yet no evidence of actual work has surfaced. Local intellectuals and concerned citizens insist that an independent investigation by the Anti-Corruption Department is crucial to uncover the full extent of the misuse and ensure accountability.
If the district administration fails to take timely action, there is a growing fear that public funds will continue to be squandered. The call for stringent vigilance and immediate intervention is louder than ever.
News By……
Chandra Bhanu Singh
Bureau chief Southern Odisha
