Jeypore: The Postal Department has suspended a Postmaster in connection with the alleged misappropriation of funds meant for beneficiaries under various government welfare schemes, including the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS), in Nabarangpur district.
Senior Postmaster of Jeypore Division, Satyabadi Biswal, placed Gaurang Sarkar, the then Postmaster of Jharigaon Sub Post Office, under suspension following allegations of large-scale financial irregularities.
The action came after former Nabarangpur MP and senior BJD leader Pradeep Majhi and senior BJD leader Rabinarayan Nanda lodged a complaint alleging that lakhs of rupees deposited into the accounts of beneficiaries were fraudulently withdrawn and diverted elsewhere.
The complainants had also alleged misappropriation of nearly ₹50 crore under MGNREGS in Koraput district, besides alleged siphoning of Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) funds released under several other government schemes.
According to the complaint, large-scale irregularities took place at the Jharigaon, Kodinga and Dabugaon post offices under the Jeypore Postal Division in Nabarangpur district. Funds meant for poor beneficiaries under schemes such as MGNREGS and other government assistance programmes were allegedly embezzled with the involvement of departmental officials.
Following the complaint, the Postal Department initiated an inquiry into the allegations. Investigation is also underway against two other Postmasters in connection with the case, sources said.
