11 alive people declared dead in govt records aid for funeral embezzled

Odisha | A surprising case has come to light in Kendrapara district of Odisha. Where, 11 surviving people were declared dead. Not only this, the government assistance for the last rites of the dead was also embezzled. Officials gave this information on Friday.

The incident came to the fore recently when one of the 'dead' persons, identified as Sanyasi Khuntia, found his name in the list of 11 people of Kurunti gram panchayat who were found on the website of the state social security department in May this year. But was declared dead with him. Under the Harishchandra Sahayata Yojana, an amount of Rs 2,000 has been mentioned to each relative for his last rites.

Relatives said - we did not get money

However, the relatives of the deceased claimed that they have not received any money under the scheme as all 11 of them are currently alive. Khuntia, along with other 'dead' Pravat Kumar Swain and Anant Jena, accused the panchayat officials of its embezzlement and filed a complaint with the Rajnagar block development officer on Wednesday.

The 'deceased' drives an auto rickshaw

Swain is an auto rickshaw driver and is still doing the same thing. Another 'dead' Gopinath Khatua works as a plumber in Kerala. Sukanti Pradhan, a relative of one of the 'deceased', claimed that she had never received any money under the scheme launched by the state. BDO Ravindra Pradhan said, 'We have received complaints regarding the matter and investigation has been started. If the allegations are found to be true, then action will be taken against those responsible for misappropriation of funds.