SC orders CBI probe into Orissa job scam

BHUBANESWAR: The Supreme Court on Thursday ordered a Central Bureau of Investigation probe into alleged corruption in utilisation of Central funds by six districts of Orissa for the rural job guarantee scheme under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act [MNREGA].

A bench comprising Chief Justice S H Kapadia, and justices K S Radhakrishnan and Swatanter Kumar directed the CBI to conduct the probe on the basis of the survey reports provided by the petitioner, CAG report and the National Institute of Rural Development.

The bench asked the CBI to conduct a free and fair investigation expeditiously and place its first report within six months.

The alleged irregularities have been detected in the districts of Kalahandi, Mayurbhanj, Rayagada, Bhawanipatna, Koraput and Malakangiri. A NGO in its report had submitted there was misappropriation of funds between 53% to 88% in these districts. The NGO had alleged irregularity in disbursement of MNREGA funds meant for implementation of its rural job guarantee scheme.

The court passed its order on a public interest litigation filed by Centre for Environment and Food Security, which had conducted a survey that found alleged irregularities in implementation of the scheme.

On December 16, the apex court, while hearing the PIL rapped both the Union and the state governments for their failure in properly executing the rural job guarantee scheme.

The CBI, after its probe, will spell out the offences likely to be made against the officials.