Bhubaneswar: BJP’s Asika MLA Saroj Padhi has dismissed the recent row involving allegations of misbehaviour and death threats against an IAS officer as a mere “misunderstanding”, saying the issue was resolved amicably through mutual discussions.
The controversy erupted after 2022-batch IAS officer Samir Kumar Jena, posted as Chief Development Officer-cum-Executive Officer of the Ganjam Zilla Parishad, alleged that Padhi barged into his chamber on Tuesday and shouted at him over the distribution of relief materials.
Jena, who was overseeing relief and restoration work in Asika, claimed the MLA used abusive and unparliamentary language and even threatened to kill him. The officer said the incident left him demoralised and in deep mental shock.
Responding to the charges, Padhi said any differences or confusion had been cleared through dialogue. “The dispute has been amicably resolved. The concerned parties have reached an understanding,” he stated, adding that mistakes and misunderstandings can happen but the matter has now been sorted out.
State Fisheries and Animal Resources Development Minister Gokulananda Mallik described the episode as unfortunate and said the Asika MLA was remorseful. He expressed confidence that an amicable solution would be found and noted that Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi is closely monitoring the situation.
