CDA Chairman in Vigilance net

Bhubsaneswar, Jun 10 (UNI) The Vigilance department has filed a case against IAS officer and Chairman of Cuttack Development Authority (CDA) B K Dhal for violating provisions in allotting printing order to a firm without inviting tender.

The case was filed on the allegation of corruption in printing of brochures for sale of commercial and institutional plots at CDA, Bidanasi, Cuttack.

Vigilance sources here said Mr Dhal being Vice Chairman, CDA, Cuttack, during 2006-07, placed order with one M/s. Devee Printers for printing of 1000 brochures at a total cost of Rs.2,85,000 at the rate of Rs.285 per brochure.

The IAS officer did not call for any tender for the work. But subsequently in 2007 when there was further need of printing such brochures, he called for tender and one M/s. Ananda Printers, Cuttack, came forward to print similar size and shape of brochure at a cost of Rs 35 each.

Ananda Printer was accordingly ordered to print 500 copies of such brochures at a total cost of Rs.17,500. ''This was clearly proved that Mr.Dhal has allowed financial benefit of Rs.2.5 Lakhs by favouring M/s Devee Printers to print 1000 brochures at a cost of Rs.285 each, which could have easily been done at a cost of Rs.35 each,'' the Vigilance sources observed.

The Vigilance department has filed a case against the IAS officer and Devee Printers proprietor Hemendra Mohan Panda under 13(1)(d)of the Prevention of Corruption Act.

UNI DP ADG BDP HT2237