Orissa vigilance files criminal cases in WB health project scam

Bhubaneshwar, Jul 1 (UNI) The Orissa Vigilance department has filed criminal cases against seven officials, including retired IAS officer Mayadhar Panigrahi, for their alleged involvement in the World Bank (WB) aided Rs 423 crore Orissa Health System Development Project (OHSDP) scam.

Official sources said here today that the cases were filed against former OHSDP Director Mayadhar Panigrahi, Joint Director Sugat Kar, Assistant Director Taramani Patnaik (all retired), Deputy Director Rajesh Mishra, Chief Accounts officer Bibhuti Bhushan Misra and Executive Engineer B C Tripathy yesterday.

The cases were filed under various sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act. The scam came to light during an internal audit conducted by the World Bank and created a furore in the state.

Out of Rs 423 crore earmarked for the OHSDP, the state government managed to spend only Rs 320 crore during 1997 to 2006.

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