Works EIC is spearheading a campaign to raise funds for the upcoming elections. This warrants a comprehensive investigation by the Election Commission of India to ensure transparency and fairness in the electoral process.

Until 2016, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik held the Works Department portfolio. However, over the past six years, the department has been marred by significant irregularities. Arbitrary transfers and postings, coupled with a lack of transparency, have severely disrupted the department’s operations. This is particularly concerning as the department oversees crucial infrastructure development in the State.

In 2023, the Odisha Engineering Service cadre underwent reorganization, increasing the number of posts for Engineer-in-Chief (Level 17) from six to seven, and Chief Engineer (Level-16) from 15 to 22. Additionally, a new Chief Engineer (Roads) position was created, bringing the total to two, along with the creation of a Chief Engineer (Design) post. Furthermore, three Chief Engineers were assigned to the Odisha Bridge Construction Corporation (OBCC).

However, eyebrows were raised when, despite two Chief Engineer (Roads) positions being available according to the gradation list, they were left vacant. Instead, Engineer-in-Chief (Civil) Manoranjan Mishra was appointed to oversee Chief Engineer (Roads), sparking questions. Allegations suggest this move was intentional to consolidate control over funds and manage payments to contractors executing various projects.

A notable instance of manipulation by the Chief Engineer (Civil) occurred in January 2024, when 12 officials were promoted per notification (No: FE-1PER-0052-2023-1736), yet none have assumed their new roles. It’s alleged this delay was orchestrated to ensure their compliance in fund collection under Mishra’s directives.

In a notification dated 8/2/2024 (No. FE-I-PER-0051-02023-2819/W), Tusharkant Panda, previously Chief Engineer (NH), was promoted to Engineer-in-Chief of the RD Department but “deployed” as Chief Engineer (NH). This has raised suspicions of a potential conspiracy, especially given the number of engineers awaiting promotion in the department.

Another notification (FE-I-PER-0053-2023-3676/W) dated 27/2/24 saw the promotion of 38 Superintendent Engineers (Civil) to Additional Chief Engineer (Civil). However, they have yet to assume their new roles and are still in their previous positions, raising further doubts.

These transfers and postings have fueled strong suspicions regarding Mishra’s motives. There are concerns that he may be using his position to spearhead a fund collection drive for the ruling party in anticipation of the upcoming general elections. It is imperative for the Election Commission of India to conduct a thorough investigation into this matter to ensure the integrity of the electoral process.

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BHUBANESWAR: The Works Department responsible for construction and maintenance of all infrastructure in the State, has now become like a rudderless ship and lost direction thanks to the manipulations by some dishonest top officials, who are bending every law in the book to fatten their pockets with connivance with their relatives and acquaintances.

A glaring example is incumbent Engineer-in Chief (Civil) Manoranjan Mishra, who is holding charge of Chief Engineer (Roads) allegedly roped in his own relatives to bag the contracts and works and he is also even working as a partner in some consultant firms. Mishra is accused of bagging contracts in the name of one Niranjan Samantray throughout Odisha misusing his position as Chief Engineer (Roads)  

1. “Top official grabs contracts in kin’s name, manipulating transfers and postings.”
2. “Incumbent Engineer-in Chief accused of using position to fatten pockets with connivance of relatives and acquaintances.”
3. “Allegations of irregularities in sanction of contracts and deviations, without Works Secretary’s knowledge.”
4. “Manipulation of transfer and posting process to fulfill illegal purposes, raising doubts about intentions.”
5. “Calls for probe by Election Commission regarding suspected misuse of vacant post for personal gain during general elections.”

The EIC is also in direct partnership with a consultancy firm, SM consultant and taking huge amount of kickbacks by giving the firm different works for supply of design, soil data, detailed project reports (DPR) without calling for tenders.  He is also carrying out executing work in all divisions in Ganjam district in the name of his relative Ramesh Sabat, who is staying near hi residence in Brahmapur, reliable sources said.

Sources also further alleged that Mishra is carrying out irregularities in sanction of EOT, deviation using his position as Chief Engineer (Roads) and EIC (Civil) . He is proposing Extension of Time (EOT) without penalty and huge deviation in work as CE (Roads) and accepting as EIC (Civil) without the knowledge of the Works Secretary.

To make matters worse, although the power of EIC related to transfer and posting is limited to only Junior Engineers but in connivance he manages the posting up to Chief Engineers for fulfilling his illegal purposes, as it is evident for grabbing additional post of Chief Engineer (DPI and Roads)in addition to his present post of EIC although all posts of CEs have been filled up leaving the post of CE (Roads) lying vacant. The million dollar question if all the posts were filled up why the Chief Engineer (Roads) was kept vacant.

It is alleged that Mishra kept the post in his direct control to earn huge kickbacks in the guise of collecting funds for the forthcoming general elections. This should be probed by the Election Commission of India (ECI) to unearth the truth. Mishra is also not informing the State Government about the   transfers and postings of top officials in the Works Department as per the norms. This has raised many doubts about his intentions.

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While the Government of Odisha and all its components are shouting themselves hoarse about 5T and how it is transforming the state to Utopia the Works department is quietly and steadily acting to prove it wrong. The first casualty of the operations of the department is Transparency and Teamwork, two major components of 5T.

Recently it has been reported how the questionable activities and decisions of the  Manoranjan Mishra, the EIC of the department, have put the Multipurpose Hall project of the sports department in such a sorry position that the government is afraid to even inaugurate the structures and allow the public to use it. Now it has come to light that the Assistant Executive Engineer of Bhubaneswar ( R&B) Subdivision no II was issued a  show cause notice by his Executive Engineer for taking up a work without a proper tender and without any approval. Insiders in the department have hinted that the Assistant Engineer has done it with the blessings of the EIC himself who is also holding the responsibility of the Chief Engineer ( Roads).

How qualified and experienced engineers are being posted and shunted around in the department defies logic.  Despite a committee that was formed in April 2023 to recommend transfers and postings that responsibility seems to be in the hands of the EIC himself. Nothing else explains the situation where the EIC is holding the role of chief Engineer ( Roads) as an additional charge while many Chief Engineers are wasting their talent in posts having marginal responsibilities. Observers wonder whether the Government is aware that the fungus of incompetence and inefficiency is spreading fast and deep in the department.

Recently a few additional chief engineers were promoted to the post of Chief Engineers. It is interesting to note that they are still handling their pre-promotion responsibilities while the post of chief engineer in many important positions is lying vacant and is being managed by the EIC himself.

There is strong suspicion that the promotions and postings have not been reported to the office of the chief minister or the Chief Secretary. This in itself is a major violation of procedure but it is quite baffling to notice the way the EIC is flouting all operational norms and is still getting away with highly questionable decisions. The secretary of the department is focused on tours to Delhi for reasons that are not difficult to guess and so it appears he does not have time or inclination to check the mischiefs of the EIC .

But observers wonder as to why the Chief Minister is allowing a key department to get corroded despite petitions submitted to him with facts.   Many are questioning whether the office of the Chief Minister of Odisha is functioning at all!!

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