From Mobile Recharges to Insurance Premiums: How ITDA Officials Misused Govt Money in Odisha

Startling Misuse of Public Money

In a bombshell revelation, the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has unearthed the alleged diversion of Rs 148.75 crore meant for tribal upliftment projects by engineers of the Integrated Tribal Development Agency (ITDA). Over a span of five years, officials are accused of misappropriating public funds, spending them on trivial personal expenses such as mobile recharges and insurance premium payments, bypassing all financial norms.

Audit Scrutiny Across 11 ITDAs

The findings, tabled in the State Assembly on Wednesday, emerged from scrutiny of 11 ITDA agencies covering the period 2018-19 to 2022-23. During this period, the government had invested Rs 1,709.47 crore across 69 programmes targeted at tribal empowerment. While Rs 1,190.44 crore—about 70%—was officially utilised, the audit flagged alarming deviations in fund management practices.

Funds Routed via Personal Accounts

Instead of releasing money directly from project accounts, in line with the Odisha Public Works Department (PWD) Code, junior engineers (JEs) and assistant engineers (AEs) allegedly diverted funds through their personal ledger accounts. They reportedly inflated work estimates to create a false impression of unspent balances, later siphoning those amounts into their personal accounts.

The Spending Spree Exposed

The audit revealed that these engineers used the inflated funds for personal transactions amounting to Rs 148.75 crore over the years under review. Instances of petty but telling expenditures—like phone top-ups and insurance policy premiums—highlighted blatant disregard for financial discipline.

Shocking Lapses in Documentation

Beyond the misuse of funds, the CAG flagged a collapse in documentation and accountability. Numerous projects lacked proper records, while several contained falsified entries, wrong dates, fake numbers, and even works without GST registration. These discrepancies suggested deep-rooted corruption and systematic manipulation.

Betrayal of Tribal Welfare Goals

The audit stressed that such irregularities undermine the very schemes meant for tribal upliftment. By diverting funds away from critical programmes, officials effectively robbed vulnerable communities of their rightful benefits, eroding trust in state-run welfare efforts.

Political Fallout and Accountability Questions

The explosive report has sparked heated debates in political circles, with urgent calls for accountability in the functioning of ITDAs. Questions loom large: Can the government trace the officials responsible? Will the siphoned money ever be recovered?

Call for Swift Action

For now, the revelations stand as a stark reminder of how unchecked power breeds corruption. Stakeholders are pressing for time-bound probes and systemic reforms to plug financial leaks, ensuring that every rupee of tribal welfare funds reaches its intended beneficiaries without diversion.