A shocking case has come to light from Jharsuguda in Odisha. Here four people have been arrested on charges of embezzlement of more than Rs 60 lakh. This also includes former Municipal Executive Officer Manoj Kumar Tandi. These allegations have been made due to the scam in the purchase of mosquito repellent oil. A few days ago, allegations were made that the officials of Jharsuguda Municipal Corporation embezzled government funds during 2022-23 and 2023-24 and in connivance with the supplier purchased mosquito repellent oil for the Municipal Corporation from the market at exorbitant prices. After receiving the complaint, the Vigilance Department started investigating the matter.

The vigilance investigation revealed that in 2023, Manoj Kumar Tandi had ordered a supplier in Jharsuguda to supply 10,200 liters of mosquito repellent oil. But this order was given at prices almost 100 times higher than the market price. The investigation also found that the supplier supplied about 9,500 liters of mosquito repellent oil to the municipal corporation and sent 7 bills in return, the total cost of which was about Rs 70,30,000. 

Scam done in 2023-24

In 2022-23, Municipal Corporation Officer Manoj Kumar Tandi had purchased mosquito killer oil at the rate of Rs 77 per liter, but in 2023-24, he purchased oil from a supplier in Jharsuguda at the rate of Rs 740 per liter, which was almost 10 times more than the price of last year. Due to this embezzlement, the Municipal Corporation suffered a loss of Rs 61,44,600 and the supplier benefited wrongly. The Vigilance Department official said that this manipulation has been done between 2022 and 2024. Jharsuguda Municipal Corporation issued a tender for the supply of 10,200 liters of mosquito killer oil. 3 people participated in this tender. The rates of a supplier from Jharsuguda were approved at Rs 740 per liter and he was given the responsibility of supply, whereas this time the prices were almost 100% higher than last year's prices.

Four arrested so far

The supplier supplied 9500 liters of oil for which he was paid Rs 70,30,000, causing huge losses to the government. A team of 10 people was investigating the entire case. We have arrested a total of 4 people including Municipal Corporation Executive Officer Manoj Tandi, supplier and sanitization expert and further investigation is being done. The investigating officer is also probing their links. The officer said, "Whoever is found guilty in this case will be arrested."