Bhubaneswar: Four more officials of the State Government including three Odisha Administrative Service (OAS) officials, one former Superintendent Engineer, two CDPOs, former Deputy Superintendent of Excise, and a block office cashier were awarded compulsory retirement today.
The officials are facing corruption cases and were considered fit for compulsory retirement. The officials also faced the crisis of efficiency. With this, around 130 officials have been awarded compulsory retirement by the State Government till date.
Former Tahasildar and in-charge Sub Registrar of Nimapara, Rama Chandra Jena, is facing three corruption cases. Odisha Vigilance had seized five PAN cards and around 5 lakh rupees from his possession during a raid on November 2. He had been placed under suspension since then.
Similarly, former Deputy Collector of Jagatsinghpur, Gouranga Charan Mohanty, is facing seven corruption cases. He had been charged with embezzlement of government funds and irregularities in the implementation of government schemes.
Former Tehsildar of Lathikata in Sundargarh district who is incumbent BDO of Ambabhona in Bargarh district, Alphonsa Bilung, is facing three corruption cases. He had granted undue favour in terms of conversion of land and revenue collection.
Further, former Superintending Engineer of Baitarani Irrigation Division, Keonjhar, Bidhan Chandra Sahu, is facing one corruption case. Odisha Vigilance had caught him with Rs 10 lakh unaccounted cash when he was on his way home in Cuttack on October 9. He was also found in possession of disproportionate assets during subsequent raids on properties associated with him.
Child Development Project Officer (CDPO) of Biswanathpur under Lanjigarh block in Kalahandi district, Meena Patra, had been caught by Odisha Vigilance on October 4 while demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs 80, 000 from a complainant for clearing bills of two SHGs regarding supply of Chhatua. She was also found in possession of disproportionate assets to the tune of Rs 1.8 crore.
Similarly, Child Development Project Officer (CDPO) of Thuamul Rampur in Kalahandi district, Pushpanjali Rath, had been caught by Odisha Vigilance on October 25 while demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs 1 lakh for the selection of Anganwadi workers. She was also found in possession of disproportionate assets.
Former in-charge Superintendent of Excise of Deogarh district, Ajit Kumar Mohapatra, had been caught by Odisha Vigilance on September 29 while demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs 1.5 lakh from a liquor vendor. He was also found in possession of disproportionate assets.
Vigilance officials today raided the office and residences of Tihidi block office cashier Prabhakar Pradhan on charges of acquisition and possession of property disproportionate to his known source of income.
Similarly, cashier of Tihidi block office, Prabhakar Pradhan, had been accused of accepting illegal gratification of Rs 20 lakh from various beneficiaries. He had misappropriated Rs 20.25 lakh belonging to 34 beneficiaries of the Indira Awas Yojana. This money was allegedly transferred to the accounts of his relatives during 2016 to 2018. He had been subsequently arrested.
It is worthwhile to mention that Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has always emphasized the importance of transparency in the administrative system. Continuing efforts to provide services to the public through a transparent, efficient, and accountable administration while maintaining integrity and morality in public life.
As per the Chief Minister’s approach, the state government has continued to crack down on corrupt and incompetent officials.
