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Odisha Lokayukta turns messiah for hopeless victims

The Lokayukta is an anti-corruption ombudsman organization in the Indian states. Meanwhile, Lokayukta in Odisha has become a topic of discussion by hearing many high profile cases. Odisha Lokayukta assured the citizens that every possible step will be taken to ensure that the complainant is not subject to corrupt practice by any public servant.

Odisha Lokayukta turns as messiah for hopeless victims
Odisha Lokayukta turns as messiah for hopeless victims
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Published : Aug 17, 2020, 10:58 PM IST

Bhubaneswar: Six months have passed since the constitution of the Lokayukta in Odisha. During this period, the Lokayukta has heard several important cases and provided justice to many hopeless victims. Not only that, many well known and branded corrupt officers have been dragged by the Lokayukta to the Court. The Lokayukta has become a matter of discussion for his dispensation of justice and for having made himself worthy of people’s confidence

Odisha Lokayukta turns as messiah for hopeless victims

Meanwhile, Lokayukta has become a topic of discussion by hearing many high profile cases.

Case No. (1) The Lokayukta has issued notice to a senior IAS officer, Bishnupad Sethi after enquiring into the allegation of misappropriation of funds and other irregularities in the Odisha State Cooperative Bank.

The allegation of giving illegal appointments and drawing amounts whimsically has been levelled against him. The senior IAS officer has since given his submissions and the hearing of the case is continuing.

Case No. (2) The case relating to the purchase of PPE Kits and Masks for use during the Covid-19 pandemic is also before the Lokayukta. The hearing in the matter is continuing. The then Chief of the Procurement Committee, Hemanta Sharma, another senior IAS officer, has been served with a notice in this regard. He has not appeared before the Lokayukta and the next hearing is awaited.

Case No. (3) The allegation of corruption involving about Rs. 500 crore in the Odisha State Cooperative bank is also before the court of Lokayukta. The state vigilance department is enquiring about the allegation. However, the vigilance department has been asked to submit a detailed report in this regard. This scam is stated to be the biggest of its kind in the state.

Case No. (4) The Lokayukta has also taken up the investigation into large scale corruption in the matter of distribution of house damage assistance and allotment of ‘pucca’ (concrete) houses to the victims of ‘Fani’ cyclone.

One Abhimanyu Barik of Kapileswar Panchayat under Brahmagiri block of Puri district, who is spending his days under a tarpaulin after his house was destroyed in cyclone "Fani", fell at the feet of local MLA, Minister, Block, and district administration and pleaded for allotment of a house under the rehabilitation package for Fani cyclone, but to no avail.

Finally, he complained before the Lokayukta, who took up the matter with all seriousness. Lokayukta enquired into the real situation by dispatching a team. Now the hope of Barik to get a house has been revived. He has left everything to the Lokayukta. Not only Abhimanyu, but a large number of such instances can also be seen in Kanas and Satyabadi blocks of Puri district. The Lokayukta has given them new hope after they were disappointed by all quarters.

Speaking to ETV Bharat, Barik said," I have approached Lokayukta for my case. Lokayukta has inquired into the matter and asked the Tehsildar and RI to reply. However, the Tehsildar has not replied yet. Hopefully, I will get justice from Lokayukta."

Social activist, Pradip Pradhan, said, "To probe corruption in high offices in the country, a national movement was conducted under the leadership of Anna Hazare. Lokayukta Act was passed in the Indian Parliament in 2013. Based on this act, Odisha Lokayukta Act was passed in 2014. Before the 2019 election, Naveen Patnaik took credit for the act claiming that he passed an act to probe corruption.

However, after five years and with the intervention of the Supreme Court of India, the state govt was forced to appoint Lokayukta in Odisha. Ajit Singh was the Chairperson and another three members were appointed. There are several big scams reported before the Lokayukta.

The state government had constituted the Lokayukta after much hue and cry. This has become the most important armour against corruption. There are instances that people after being disappointed with all quarters, have received justice from here.

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