Postmaster suspended over MGNREGS fund irregularities

Koraput: Satyabadi Biswal, Senior Superintendent of Post Offices (SSP), Jeypore Circle, on Wednesday evening suspended Jharigaon postmaster Gouranga Sarkar following allegations of financial irregularities.The action came amid allegations of embezzlement of funds meant for beneficiaries under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) and other welfare initiatives in Koraput and Nabarangpur districts.Confirming the suspension, Biswal said a departmental inquiry had been initiated to look into the allegations. “Preliminary allegations of irregularities have surfaced in connection with transactions at Jharigaon post office. Following this, the concerned postmaster has been placed under suspension and further investigation is underway,” Biswal said.According to Biswal, inquiry revealed that around Rs 7.70 lakh was misappropriated at Jharigaon post office by Sarkar in the past few years and the misappropriated fund has been recovered.The state unit of BJD had recently alleged that some postal department employees manipulated beneficiaries’ KYC details and usedfake thumb impressions to siphon off funds from accounts linked to welfare schemes. “The suspension is only the first step. A comprehensive investigation must be conducted and all those involved in the fraud should be brought to book,” former MP Pradeep Majhi said.Meanwhile, postal department sources said further verification of beneficiary accounts and transaction records in several post offices is continuing as part of the inquiry.