Berhampur: After a search of two years,Golonthara police in Berhampur has arrested a woman working at a master book keeper on the charge of swindling government money of over 26 lakhs.The woman Smt Yara Hemalata(37)was working as a Master book keeper(MBK)at Girisola Gram Panchayat Legel federation(GPLF)under Odisha livelihood mission(OLM)of Panchayat Raj & Drinking water department(PR DW),Odisha.On 11-04-2023,a case was registered based on Letter received from the Block Development Officer Chikiti,Haladhar sabar,wherein he alleged that Hemalata,was working as MBK since 2015.She had misappropriated Government money amounting to cash of Rs. 26,66,000/- (Rupees twenty-six lakhs sixty-six thousand)fraudulently in different accounts(IB, CIF,CLF)through cheques which were presented in the Union Bank of Sompeta Branch in the Srikakulam District of Andhra Pradesh and credited to different account through direct transfer/NEFT mode.The President and Secretary of Girisola GPLF had informed the details to the B.D.O, Chikiti.Investigation of the case revealed that accused MBK Hemalata,was keeping the accounts of the GPLF and the cheques were kept with her.She had cunningly collected the signature of the authorised signatories in advance taking a plea that,in case of emergency the cheques will be used by her for withdrawal of cash from the Bank.But she intentionally misappropriated the Government money,without the knowledge of the GPLF members and the money was credited to different accounts through direct transfer/NEFT mode.As the GPLF members came to know about it and the BDO lodgted a case,Hemalata absconded from Girosola.Yesterday,police got a information about the presence of Hemalata in Srikakulam and soon a team reached there,said Berhampur SP,Dr Saravana Vivek M.The team apprehended Hemlata and her relative Sivalanki Mutyala Rao(38),who was assiting her in hiding.During interrogation,Hemalata reportedly confessed before that,she has spent the money by purchasing one car (Toyota Glanza car bearing Regd No OD 33 AL3534)and one motor cycle (Royal Enfield Classic-350 bearing Regd. No OD 02-CP-1392),besides in other places.The motor cycle has been seized and search is on to seize the car said the SP adding that further investigation is on.The Bank accounts to which misappropriated money was transferred are also under verification said the SP.Hemalata and Mutyala has been forwarded to court.
