Chalachitra Bhavan, Cuttack. Telegraph picture

Bhubaneswar, May 8: The state vigilance department’s dilly-dally approach in framing chargesheet against tainted officials of the Orissa Film Development Corporation (OFDC) has affected functioning of the corporation.

Newly appointed chairman of the OFDC Muzibullah Khan said: “The OFDC has requested the vigilance (department) to expedite the investigation process. Unless they come to a conclusion, we cannot take further action. With a lean staff strength, it is difficult to manage affairs of the ODFC and the Kalinga Studio.”

The government has furnished detailed documents to the state vigilance relating to the corruption in the OFDC.

In its report, the industry department has asked the vigilance department to initiate inquiry into the corruption related to the irregularities in renovation and construction of Chalachitra Bhavan, Cuttack, and also in release of subsidy to different film producers during 2007-08.

Additional secretary to the government D.P. Mohanty said: “The vigilance department had seized 52 files relating to the corruption on renovation and release of subsidy to the film producers. However, after preliminary inquiry they have released 44 files and kept only eight files with them. As the inquiry has not gone much ahead, works in the studio have suffered to a great extent. We are also not able to release money to different small-time film producers.”

On advice of the vigilance department, the corporation has shifted all tainted officials from their present duties. “Unless the vigilance frames chargesheet, we cannot put them under suspension. We had already met the vigilance top brass on this issue and held a detailed discussion. As vigilance has already seized the necessary files, there is no chance of any tampering,” Mohanty said.

On September 2010, the vigilance department filed cases against former chairman of the OFDC Sitakanta Mishra, former managing director Rabindranath Das and OFDC employees Pratap Kumar Mishra, Dillip Kumar Jena and Bharati Prasad Barik.

Corruption to the tune of Rs 9 lakh towards renovation and construction of the Chalachitra Bhavan had taken place. Moreover, allegations were made relating to renovation and repair of the Kalinga Studio amounting to nearly Rs 5 lakh and also granting of subsidy to film producers. However, the vigilance officials maintained that they had prima evidence that some OFDC officials had indulged in corruption.

The superintendent of police, vigilance, Amulya Mohanty, said: “We have returned the files as most of the papers were tattered. The eight files that are with us speak about volumes of corruption. We are investigating the cases and will file chargesheet following law. We have asked the OFDC authorities to transfer the officials, but they have only changed their duties within the same office. However, they responded only after we had sent them a reminder.”