Bhubaneswar, Nov. 7: Top officials of the state's vigilance department today conceded that are allegations of large-scale corruption in the execution of chief minister Naveen Patnaik's pet schemes such as Biju Pucca Ghar Yojana, Madubabu Pension Yojana and Niramaya Yojana.

Lower-rung officials are allegedly demanding bribes from beneficiaries of the schemes.

Director, vigilance, R.P. Sharma said: "We have conducted surprise checks in different parts of the state to prevent and detect pilferage of government money meant for schemes such as Biju Pucca Ghar, Madhu Babu Pension and Nirmaya Yojana." Sharma was speaking at the closing ceremony of the state level vigilance awareness week.

While Biju Pucca Ghar Yojana aims at providing pucca houses to people under the scheme, state government is providing assistance of Rs 1.30 lakh and Rs 1.20 lakh to eligible stakeholders of the Integrated Action Plan (IAP) and Non-IAP districts respectively for constructing a pucca house.

"Corruption takes place at the lower level of officials while releasing money to the beneficiaries to build their houses. They force beneficiaries to grease their palms. It hurts the poor badly. By preventing corruption at the ground level, we have been able to send a message that the vigilance is working for the poor," said a vigilance official.

Under the Madhu Babu Pension Scheme, beneficiaries in the age group of 60 to 79 years get Rs 300 a month and those above of 80 years get Rs 500 a month. "As people are illiterate, they become victims of corrupt officials when they approach the officials to enrol their names as pension beneficiaries," an official said.

Under the Niramaya scheme, beneficiaries are given 570 different kinds of medicines free of cost. A vigilance official said: "We have not only kept a close watch on these schemes, we have also closely scrutinised other schemes such as Indira Awas and the MGNREGA scheme. We are conducting surprise checks at gram panchayats to detect pilferage of money."

Vigilance director Sharma said: "This year till September, 285 accused persons have been arrested and produced before the court. These include 29 class-I and 27 class-II officers."

In the last five years and up to September this year, a total of 134 public servants have been dismissed from service, after their conviction in vigilance cases.

Till September, 449 cases were registered, which include 77 cases of possession of disproportionate assets, 190 on allegations of demand and acceptance of illegal gratification and 182 corruption cases for misappropriation and other irregularities.

Speaking at the closing ceremony of vigilance week, chief minister Naveen Patnaik said: "I urge the people of Odisha to be watchful against any corrupt practices and render full assistance and cooperation to the vigilance department in detection and investigation of corruption."

Naveen added: “As part of our resolve against corruption, the government has established two additional vigilance courts in Sundergarh and Cuttack. Two more vigilance courts at Dhenkanal and Angul will be established soon.”