Balasore, Nov. 20: The district administration has suspended two panchayat officials following allegations that they had committed irregularities in the voter list revision for the forthcoming panchayat elections.

It has also been recommended to transfer block development officer Bijoy Rout to his parent department.

The suspended staff are panchayat development officer Saroj Das and executive officer Hariphar Khalpalia of Anladiha gram panchayat in Baliapal block .

“I have placed both Das and Khalpalia under suspension based on the report of project director, district rural development agency, and recommended transfer of the block development officer Bijay Rout from the block,” said district collector Akhil Bihari Ota.

“I have also asked project director of the agency Anjan Manik to recheck the lists of other gram panchayats,” he said. The district collector intervened in the matter after receiving a large number of petitions from different political parties of Baliapal.

“I have no power to act or effect any alteration in the voter list. The list has already been sent to the state election officer. Yet, I initiated an inquiry. When discrepancies were found in the said gram panchayat, I took action,” said Ota.

“I found deficiencies and submitted the report to the district collector,” said Manik.