Odisha Vigilance investigates Sensor Light Deal Irregularities

By Chitaranjan Choudhury: Odisha Vigilance sleuths have started investigation into the alleged irregularities in the purchase of street light senors by Jeypore Municipality. Vigilance sleuths have taken files related to the deal into their possession for further investigation.

It is reported that, 11,000 censors were purchased by the officials  of municipality allegedly setting aside all the norms, without having proper resolution and taking approval of Councillors. As per media reports, the municipality had installed the light censors in the month of July 2015 whereas it floated tenders for the purchase of lights on 14 August 2015. The issue was raised by some leaders blaming the district collector of influencing the deal between the municipality and a private company, which supplied the lights.

A company based in Coimbatore of Tamil Nadu has supplied these censor lights to the municipality. Sources said that the firm belong to a relative of incumbent district collector of Koraput, V. JayKumar. Notably, they alleged that the lights were sent to the collector’s residence through speed post.

Speaking to media here, JayKumar said that there were no irregularities in the deal between the municipality and the company. He said that he has nothing to do with the deal. He blamed that some people intentionally dragging his name into the controversy to malign him.