A large-scale allowance scam has emerged in the Binjharpur block of Jajpur district, involving a staggering Rs 90 lakhs in alleged corruption. The authorities improperly allocated funds under the Madhubabu Pension Yojana to individuals who have not yet reached the age of majority. Dibendu Kumar Sahu, a resident, filed a complaint at the police station regarding the incident.
In his FIR, Sahu reported that on the 14th, the current Block Social Security Officer (BSSO) informed him that the names of 894 beneficiaries of the Madhubabu Pension Yojana were missing from the Social Security and Empowerment of Disabilities Department (SSEPD) portal. Despite this, officials ordered them to receive the allowances on July 21, 2023. Following this revelation, the authorities asked former BSSO Dharmendra Sahu to provide a written explanation.
Dharmendra Sahu claimed he acted on orders from the Jajpur Sub Collector and arranged for the payments without knowing of any irregularities. However, an investigative committee examined the situation and submitted a report on the 17th, which implicated him in the scam. The investigation revealed that he issued payments to the supposed beneficiaries using a forged directive with the sub-collector’s signature.
As a result, 894 beneficiaries received allowances, leading to a loss of Rs 90,900,000 in government funds from September 2023 to September 2024. Authorities have yet to respond to inquiries regarding the incident involving the former BSSO, Dharmendra Sahu.