Jajpur: In a significant crackdown on corruption at the grassroots level, the Odisha government has suspended Sanjukta Mohanty, the Sarpanch of Gramnandipur in Jajpur district, for allegedly misappropriating ₹11.72 lakh meant for panchayat development. The order, issued by the Panchayati Raj & Drinking Water Department, cites financial irregularities in the utilization of funds sanctioned under the Central Finance Commission (CFC) schemes.
According to official sources, Mohanty transferred the funds to her husband’s account and fabricated utilization records with the assistance of the then Panchayat Executive Officer. The embezzlement reportedly occurred during her previous tenure as Sarpanch from 2012 to 2017, with the funds originally allocated for poverty alleviation programs in the panchayat.
Whistleblower Exposes Corruption
The irregularities came to light when Naba Kishore Malik, who served as Sarpanch from 2017 to 2022, detected the financial mismanagement. Social activist Jayant Sadangi later took up the matter and lodged a formal complaint with Jajpur Collector P Anvesha Reddy last year. Following the complaint, Reddy directed the district panchayat officer to investigate, leading to the confirmation of the allegations.
Government Action & Legal Proceedings
Based on the findings, the state government issued the suspension order under Section 115(2) of the Odisha Gram Panchayat Act, 1964. Additionally, disciplinary proceedings will be initiated under Section 115(1) of the same Act, paving the way for further legal action against Mohanty.
While the accused Sarpanch has not yet responded to the allegations, officials have reiterated the government’s commitment to zero tolerance against corruption at the panchayat level.
Political Impact & Public Reaction
The case has sparked widespread debate on financial transparency in local governance, with opposition leaders and social activists demanding stricter audits and accountability measures for panchayat funds. Many villagers expressed outrage over the betrayal of public trust, calling for swift action against those involved in the scam.
This incident serves as a wake-up call for governance at the grassroots level, reinforcing the need for robust financial monitoring mechanisms to prevent the misuse of public funds.
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