By IANS,
New Delhi : The union culture ministry has instituted a probe into alleged misappropriation of funds in the name of seven performing arts troupes of Odisha. A case of cheating and forgery was lodged last week, a source in the ministry said Sunday.
The source said a “section of culture ministry officials had allegedly violated an expert panel recommendation to allot government money to seven professional troupes from Odisha”.
The money involved ranges between Rs.50,000 and Rs.100,000 for each group.
When the irregularity came to light in August last year, a deputy secretary of the ministry was appointed to probe the misappropriation of funds and alleged tampering of government recommendations. But the probe could not identify the culprits.
The ministry later moved the police.
Ministry official B.P. Bhuker said the evaluation sheets of the cases under the Scheme of Financial Assistance to Professional Groups and Individuals had been “replaced”.
The irregularities were brought to the notice of the ministry by some members of the expert panel.