A shocking case took place in Jharsuguda, Odisha. Four people were arrested for allegedly embezzling over Rs 60 lakh. Former municipal corporation executive Manoj Kumar Tandi was also included. The charges stemmed from a scam involving the purchase of mosquito repellent oil. A few days ago, allegations were made that Jharsuguda Municipal Corporation officials had embezzled government funds in 2022-23 and 2023-24 and along with vendors, purchased mosquito repellent oil from the market at high prices for the municipal corporation. After receiving the tip, the Sheriff’s Department began investigating the incident.
Vigilance investigation revealed that in 2023, Manoj Kumar Tandi ordered the supply of 10,200 liters of mosquito repellent oil to a supplier in Jharsuguda. But the price of this order was nearly 100 times more expensive than the market price. Investigation also found that the supplier supplied around 9,500 liters of mosquito repellent oil to the municipal corporation and sent seven bills in return with a total value of around Rs 70,30,000.
Scams happening in 2023-24
In 2022-23, municipal corporation officer Manoj Kumar Tandi purchased mosquito repellent oil at Rs 77 per liter, but in 2023-24, he purchased it from a vendor in Jharsuguda at Rs 740 per liter The price of mosquito repellent oil has increased almost 10 times compared to last year. Due to this corruption, the municipal corporation suffered a loss of Rs 61,44,600 and the vendors also received undue benefits. Vigilance department officials said the manipulation was carried out between 2022 and 2024. The Jharsuguda Municipal Corporation has invited tenders for the supply of 10,200 liters of mosquito repellent oil. 3 people participated in this tender. The price approved by the supplier from Jharsuguda is Rs 740 per liter and he is responsible for the supply and this time the price is almost 100% higher than last year’s price.
Four people have been arrested so far
The supplier supplied 9,500 liters of oil and paid Rs 7.03 million, causing huge losses to the government. A team of 10 people is investigating the entire incident. We have arrested a total of 4 persons including Municipal Corporation Executive Manoj Tandi, vendors and sanitization experts and further investigation is underway. Investigators are also looking into their connections. “Whoever is found guilty in this case will be arrested,” the official said.
(Reporting by Shubham Kumar from Odisha)
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