Embezzlement of govt money in installation of LED street lights: Odisha vigilance launches enquiry in 3 districts

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Bhubaneswar: Based on reliable information regarding corruption and embezzlement of Govt. money in installation of LED street lighting works across the GPs in the districts of Kendujhar, Nayagada and Jajpur during the year, 2021-22 & 2022-23, a thorough enquiry has been launched by Odisha Vigilance.

To ensure a swift and coordinated action, the Odisha Vigilance has mobilized 24 teams comprising 81 officers (Addl. SPs, DSPs, Inspectors & others) in above 3 districts (27 Officers in each district).

During field enquiry, it is found that the project “implementation of LED street lighting system in one village of each GP on turnkey basis including Comprehensive Annual Maintenance Contract (CAMC)” was launched under State Finance Commission devolution grants (5th SFC).

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During enquiry, massive irregularities and violation of tender guidelines, non-installation of vital components such as energy meter, 500 metres cable, MCCB, eye hook, suspension clamp, dead end clamp and photo switch timer etc. (for each cluster consisting of 10 LED lights), and drawl of bills (showing these as installed) and misappropriation of Government funds by executants, has been revealed.

On the spot field technical enquiries and inspections are being conducted at 50 locations in the 3 districts today, to assess and compute the amount of misappropriation of Government money and ascertain the involvement of Government officials and executing agencies in the said project.

Further report follows.

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