**Bhubaneswar: ** As the ruling BJD Government in Odisha led by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has woken up to the occasion and tightened its belt to curb ‘PC Culture’ (bribe accepted from rural housing scheme beneficiaries), State Vigilance has already pounced down upon the accused, be it government or non-government officials.
Notably on June 7 and 8 this year, the Chief Minister has issued strict order to the Collectors at their conference here to keep a tab on the allegedly rampant ‘PC Culture’ at the panchayat level.
Also the State Government has earlier issued a toll free no. 18003456768 for registering complaints by the victims.
According to official sources in the Panchayati Raj Department, 140 complaints have been lodged till date over the toll free number and teams have been sent to the spots for enquiry and submit report.
Most of the above complaints have been lodged in Awas Yojanas and the accused are Sarpanchs and PRI members of the respective areas.
While action has been taken in 26 cases, in some places, case has been registered against the accused Sarpanch and Ward Member, for instance Kakatpur.
A plan has been mooted this year that the names of beneficiaries will be displayed on wall of the Panchayat office. Motto behind it is that the beneficiary could know well that he/she has been allotted the house under government’s rural housing scheme. Hence, no question of coughing up PC arises. Next, the left-out eligible beneficiaries can reapply to reap the benefit, said the Panchayati Raj Department authorities here.
Talking to media on Wednesday, Deo Ranjan Singh, Secretary, Panchayati Raj, Odisha: “Earlier if there was construction of 10 rural houses, now the number is 1000. While the previous budget was Rs 300 crore, now it has escalated to Rs 3000 crore. As the budget has been extremely enhanced and it is being the main flagship scheme of the Government, stress is being laid on curbing the PC culture. It’s not that we were not taking action earlier.”
“I’ve heaps of proceedings, even against BDOs. Those who come in direct contact in corruption, it is easy to catch hold of them. The person who is accepting bribe will obviously be caught red-handed. If the caught person will reveal that he was accepting the bribe on behalf someone, that someone will also be caught for involvement in the crime. Hence, we have to first apprehend the frontliner to lay tentacles on the backliner. That’s why action is being focused on the frontline person in this anti-PC Culture drive,” he explained.
He added, “As both the PEO and Sarpanch are public servant, same action can be taken against them. Sarpanch can also be arrested and sent to jail. Sarpanch can also be terminated. Whatever action can be initiated against a government servant, it can also be applicable to a Sarpanch.”
The Panchayati Raj Secretary remarked, “I would like to make it clear that the guilty may be a government servant or non-government person, whoever is found involved in the corruption will definitely feel the axe. No one will be spared.”
BJD spokesperson Rabi Narayan Nanda said, “No Sarpanch, Ward Member or Samiti Member is elected on political party ticket. BJD has always made it clear that be its minister, MLA, senior party leader or its Zilla Parishad member, if found involved in any corruption, legal action will definitely be taken against as has been the clear order issued. Law knows no discrimination.”
Odisha BJP spokesperson Sajjan Sharma said, “Till date whatever scams have been reported in Odisha, highest amount of funds have been siphoned off. May be instances of Pradhan Mantri Awas, Indira Awas, Biju Pucca Ghar, Mo Kudia. Corruption rules roost in these rural housing schemes. The amount is to a tune of over Rs 1000 crores.”
“If the sum of the budgets of the last eight years is taken into account, the PC culture in discussion now has the target of 15-20% of corruption in each and every housing project. It is a mega scam. BJP has demanded immediate action. BJP Yuva Morcha has already launched a movement named ‘PC Pherao Andolan’ (Refund PC),” he added.