Two accountants in CSO office caught taking bribe

Rajnarayan Sahoo, Junior Accountant and Jiten Patnaik, Jr. Accountants at the Civil Supplies Officer (CSO), Angul were caught by the vigilance officers while they were demanding and taking bribe from the manager of a rice mill in lieu of disbursement of a bill amounting to Rs 60 lakh.

- STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE

After a prolonged call for action against erring industrial units, finally the pollution control board authority swung into action.

The SPCB has served closure notices to 11 units while 78 units have been issued show cause notices.

Those who have been served with closure notices are Rajesh Sahani and Das Enterprises from Kaluunga industrial area. At Kuanrmunda Pal Metal Industries and Swastik Ispat Pvt Limited, Utkal Matrics Pvt Ltd, Sree Jagannath Traders, Scan Steel Limited, Gangpur Minerals, Sri Ram Minerals and Ma Kali Industries.

When asked, regional officer and additional chief environment scientist Dr Anup Mallick said, "Closure will remain in effect till they abide or comply with all the required norms of pollution control, which they have in their units."

The SPCB undertook investigations at Kaunga, Kuanrmunda and Bonai areas. The raids were carried out with the sponge iron units during night in these areas. There were regular complaints against pollution being caused by these sponge iron units.

Meta Spone, Seeta Sponge and Mahaveer Fero Sponge have been issued with show cause notices, which they will have to answer within 15 days. Besides, they have been warned that 'any failure to comply with pollution norms will invite closure notice'.

Amongst the Kalunga units, a few days back a massive protest and demonstration was staged against the Mahaveer Sponge units.