Balasore, Sept. 27: Six councillors of the Balasore Municipality today called off their indefinite hunger strike following assurance from the authorities that the probe into the alleged irregularities would be over within a fortnight.

Councillor of ward No. 4 Abdul Mohit Khan said they had withdrawn the strike after additional district magistrate Rashid Khan and executive officer of municipality Manas Padhi assured them that the probe into the irregularities would be expedited and completed within 15 days.

Six councillors — Abdul Mohit Khan, Lamodar Behera, Nasir Khan, J.P. Dash, Damayanti Patra and Rekha Pii — had been on fast since yesterday, alleging that large-scale irregularities were committed in implementation of schemes under the Integrated Housing and Slum Development Programmes and the Swarna Jayanti Shahari Rozgar Yojna.

“Lakhs of rupees have been siphoned off from the funds under the Centre-sponsored schemes and gross irregularities, committed in selection of beneficiaries,” said Abdul Mohit Khan.

“The selection of slum patches under the development programmes was made arbitrarily and the houses, constructed for Rs 1.60 lakh each, are sub-standard. Scams here have taken place in different forms,” he said.

The councillors demanded repair and restoration of dilapidated roads, strengthening of sewer system, fogging at regular intervals and supply of mosquito nets.

“Roads are dilapidated and drains remain dirty and choked. Sanitation is in a shambles here,” said councillor of ward No. 5 Lambodhar Behera.

Financial irregularities had taken place in erection of boundary wall and office rooms of the municipality, alleged councillor of ward No. 11 Nasir Khan.

However, vice-chairman of the municipality Manoj Rout denied the allegations. “All the schemes are being implemented as per the guidelines. We, however, welcome the probe,” he said.

The executive officer of the municipality said: “I have begun probe into the allegations on the district collector’s direction.”