Bhubaneswar: Of late, it has come to light that there was a large scam in the recruitment of regular posts of top officials in the Odisha State Beverages Corporation Limited (OSBCL) in 2014-15. The eligibility criteria for educational qualification and experience for different posts were blatantly violated flouting the government guidelines.
- Crores of rupees pocketed by officials
- Chairman-COO nexus blamed for the mess
Flouting of Recruitment Norms in OSBCL
Reliable sources said the candidates selected for the posts of Chief Operating Officer (COO), General Manager (A&A), Accountant, Manager (IT) and Assistant Manager (Supply &Chain) did not have the requisite educational qualifications from reputed educational institutions and submitted forged documents to the interview board to get recruitment.
The interview board members consisted of faculties from the Xavier Institute of Management, Bhubaneswar but surprisingly the OSBCL Chairman was also a member of the interview board. This has raised many questions about the transparency and impartiality in the whole recruitment process.
After posting, the COO Manas Ranjan Swain, who also now holds the Chief General Manager (CGM) portfolio alleged to have worked in tandem with the OSBCL Chairman and started harassing the liquor companies on various pretexts to collect bribes. He also committed huge irregulates in loading and unloading at the depots. Whether there was pilferage, theft or damages during the unloading of liquor, Swain in nexus with the depot in charge violated all the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) which the CAG has pointed out in its report which was tabled in the State Assembly in 2022.
Widespread Corruption Allegations
The COO and the depot in charge show cartoons of good liquor bottles as ‘breakage’ and sell them outside to pocket the money. If any supplier complains, the liquor company’s truck is detained for days, due to which the transport costs spiral for the company.
During loading and unloading process of the liquor-laden trucks at the OSBCL depots if there is any fire, theft, the compensation paid to the companies for the loss is not disbursed properly and is being embezzled.
Call for Vigilance Probe
The money paid to the liquor companies through the automation process after supply, is being held back by the COO for some days with a tacit understanding with some bank officials. The accrued interest is being allegedly siphoned off by Swain.
However, so far Excise Secretary Sushil Lohani, who is the OSBCL Chairman has turned a blind eye to the corrupt activities of the CGM and COO and continues to provide patronage to him. A Vigilance probe ordered by the newly elected BJP government can only unearth the massive corruption in the OSBCL and clean the Augean Stables.