Cash handling proves risky

DHENKANAL: Security remains a concern for panchayat executive officers dealing with hard cash every month. The various ongoing social security schemes involve financial incentives to the beneficiaries of Old Age Pension, Madhu Babu Pension Yojana, BPL people above 80 and Disability Pension. And all gram panchayats have been asked to make the payment on the 15th of every month. Accordingly, gram panchayat secretaries come to the block office and collect cash. Official sources said each executive officer carries around ` 2 to 3 lakh to the gram panchayat.There have been instances of attack on  executive officers on way to gram panchayat with cash. Many have been waylaid and the cash looted. Executive officer of Bainsia gram panchayat Binod Sahoo had sustained multiple injuries when miscreants attacked him at Chailia.  Another executive officer of Joranda was assaulted and  Rs 75,000 looted. In Parjang, block officials carrying Rs  13 lakh from a nearby bank were attacked by a group of armed bikers. The entire cash was looted.State Panchayati Raj authorities had visited Dhenkanal and discussed the mode of payment with the elected representatives. They are yet to take a decision.Collector Bishnuprasad Panda said we are implementing the schemes as per the government’s guidelines. Accounts can be opened in the name of beneficiaries in post office or bank for payment, he added.