JAJPUR: A cashier of District Panchayat Office (DPO) allegedly embezzled funds amounting to Rs 1.9 crore. An FIR has been lodged against him and police are investigating the matter. Reports said during the internal audit for 2010-11, the officials asked the DPO cashier to submit the details of the unspent money. The cashier, Bichitrananda Mohanty had put the amount at ` 2, 27, 57, 773 deposited with SBI and UCO banks. Mohanty, however, did not respond to their request for pass books. Suspecting foul play, the auditors immediately rushed to the banks. Following verification of the accounts, a balance of `37, 23,106 was found in the banks. The money was reportedly withdrawn between April 1, 2010 and July 21, 2011 without being entered in the office cash register.The auditors then intimated the Panchayati Raj Secretary P K Jena about the misappropriation. Jena in turn directed Jajpur Collector to initiate an inquiry. “An inquiry committee comprising sub-collector, DRDA project director and DPO concerned was formed. The committee submitted its report which confirmed the allegations made by the auditors. Mohanty was summoned and he admitted to have committed the fraud. He had even promised to return the amount misappropriated. But later he absconded following which an FIR was lodged against him,” said Jajpur Collector Anil Kumar Samal. Police are now investigating the case. They have seized the cash and cheque books and other official documents.
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