CUTTACK: Intensifying its drive against corruption in rural housing schemes, the vigilance directorate on Thursday launched dedicated phone numbers through which people can lodge complaints regarding Biju Pacca Ghar Yojana (BPGY) and Pradhan Matri Awas Yojana (PMAY). Along with the vigilance headquarters at Cuttack, people can directly lodge their complaints at the six zonal offices of the anti-corruption wing across the state.Vigilance director R P Sharma has directed all its officials to act on these complaints on a priority basis. "Checking corruption in the rural housing schemes, meant for the poor people is our top priority. All our officials have been directed to take note of the complaints immediately and initiate appropriate action," said Sharma.A senior vigilance official said a proper record will be maintained of the complaints received in each zone and necessary information will be disseminated to the officers concerned. "Subsequently, our teams will lay traps to nab government employees or panchayat officials seeking bribe from complainants to allot houses to them under BPGY and PMAY schemes. Our teams will also probe into complaints like houses allotted to illegal beneficiaries, misappropriation of funds allotted under the rural housing schemes, etc," said a senior official.The vigilance has launched a special drive against corruption in rural housing schemes since June 25, days after chief minister Naveen Patnaik stressed on abolishing percentage and bribe culture in welfare schemes at the collector's conference.So far, the vigilance has registered 37 cases related to graft in rural housing schemes while nine people have been arrested for their alleged involvement in such irregularities. Most of the arrested persons are panchayat extension officers. "Investigation in 76 cases is on while 48 secret verifications are being conducted," said Sharma.He also claimed that after the special drive people have turned alert and cooperating with vigilance by providing crucial information to them related to corruption. "Even people have also appreciated vigilances initiatives. Due to rampant corruption in the rural housing schemes, lakhs of real beneficiaries are suffering. It is great that poor people can now directly lodge their complains with the vigilance," said Sanjay Das, a social worker residing in Cuttack's Banki block.

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