Odisha government will deny other welfare schemes for "erring" beneficiaries if they are found to have diverted funds under rural housing schemes.
The anti-corruption vigilance wing of Odisha Police has launched dedicated telephone numbers to receive complaints of bribe demands directly from the people.
"The erring beneficiaries will have to pay back the amount sanctioned for building pucca houses under Indira Awas Yojana or Biju Pucca Ghar Yojana. They will not be included in other government schemes until they return the amount," Panchayati Raj Secretary Deo Ranjan Kumar Singh, said.
Singh said action may also be initiated against beneficiaries who availed funds under rural housing schemes and
diverted the money.
"Any government official found involved in irregularities will face action," Singh said adding, it was noticed that in some cases the beneficiaries have not built houses even after getting full payment.
In a bid to expedite its action against corrupt practice in the rural housing schemes, the state vigilance has launched dedicated telephone numbers to get information on demands of bribe for allotment of houses.
"Poor beneficiaries will get full benefit of rural schemes and the move will have a deterrent effect on corrupt public servants," director of vigilance R P Sharma told reporters in Cuttack.
In order to have a further deterrent effect, initiate instant action and also to raise public awareness, Sharma said seven land line telephones have been dedicated in different Vigilance Divisions including Vigilance Directorate, which are in operation from 8 AM to 8 PM.
The numbers are: Cuttack - 0671-2305682, Bhubaneswar - 0674-2397748, Berhampur - 0680-2282300, Sambalpur - 0663-2412115, Balasore - 06782-255005 and Koraput - 06854-233330.
On the achievement of the ongoing special drive, Sharma said as many as 37 cases have been registered so far.
The vigilance wing has initiated 76 open inquiries, 48 secret verifications, conducted 45 petitions inquiries and 196 surprise checks, he said.
(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)