In a significant crackdown on corruption within the forest department, vigilance officials in Odisha arrested a forester on Friday for allegedly siphoning off government funds meant for a compensatory afforestation project. The accused, Jaya Kumar Juad, posted in Kalahandi district, is charged with embezzling a substantial sum of Rs 55,04,607.
Fabricated Plantations and Dummy Accounts
The vigilance department's investigation uncovered a well-planned fraud where the accused forester created entirely fictitious records. He allegedly submitted documents showing extensive tree plantation activities in the Thuamul-Rampur forest division of Kalahandi that were never carried out on the ground. The funds, earmarked for crucial soil and moisture conservation (SMC) works during the 2024-25 fiscal year, were systematically diverted.
"The investigation reveals a systematic embezzlement of government funds," stated a vigilance officer. The modus operandi involved channelling the plantation money into several false labour accounts, from which it was swiftly withdrawn. Jaya Kumar Juad is accused of creating dummy accounts and submitting completely falsified documents related to the implementation of the plantation scheme and subsequent labour payments.
How the Scam Was Uncovered
The financial irregularities came to light during a routine audit process. Auditors noticed glaring discrepancies between the impressive plantation numbers reported on paper and the stark reality on the ground in the Thuamul-Rampur division. This mismatch prompted a deeper dive into the financial transactions for that fiscal year, leading to the discovery of the embezzlement.
The vigilance probe was launched based on these audit findings, which meticulously traced the path of the funds. The investigation pointed to a clear case of document fabrication and fund manipulation by the accused, who exploited his official position as a forester.
Crackdown on Forest Department Corruption
This arrest highlights ongoing concerns about the misappropriation of funds in environmental and conservation projects. Compensatory afforestation is a critical initiative aimed at offsetting forest land lost to development projects, and such scams directly undermine ecological restoration efforts.
The Odisha Vigilance Department's action sends a strong message against corruption within government departments. The arrest of Jaya Kumar Juad underscores the authorities' commitment to following the money trail and holding officials accountable, regardless of their department. The case is expected to proceed with further legal action as the evidence compiled by the sleuths is presented in court.
