Bhubaneswar, June 24: Odisha Vigilance has launched a comprehensive enquiry into alleged corruption and embezzlement of government funds in the implementation of LED street lighting projects across Gram Panchayats (GPs) in Kendujhar, Nayagarh and Jajpur districts during 2021-22 and 2022-23.
Acting on reliable information, Odisha Vigilance has deployed 24 teams comprising 81 officers, including Additional Superintendents of Police (Addl. SPs), Deputy Superintendents of Police (DSPs), Inspectors and other officials. A total of 27 officers have been assigned to each of the three districts to conduct the investigation.
During the preliminary field enquiry, it was found that the project, titled“Implementation of LED Street Lighting System in One Village of Each GP on Turnkey Basis Including Comprehensive Annual Maintenance Contract (CAMC)”, was undertaken using funds provided under the 5th State Finance Commission (SFC) devolution grants.
The enquiry has reportedly uncovered large-scale irregularities, including violations of tender guidelines, non-installation of essential components, and alleged fraudulent withdrawal of funds. Vital items such as energy meters, 500-metre cables, MCCBs, eye hooks, suspension clamps, dead-end clamps and photo switch timers—required for each cluster of 10 LED lights—were allegedly not installed despite bills being raised and payments being drawn as if the work had been completed.
Odisha Vigilance suspects that government funds were misappropriated by the executing agencies through false claims and incomplete execution of the project.
To assess the extent of the irregularities and quantify the alleged loss to the government exchequer, technical inspections and field verifications are being conducted simultaneously at 50 locations across the three districts. The enquiry is also aimed at identifying the role of government officials and executing agencies involved in the implementation of the project.
Further details are awaited as the investigation progresses.
