Nabarangpur: A former Panchayat Extension Officer (PEO) of Raighar Block in Nabarangpur was arrested by vigilance for misappropriating government funds allocated for developmental works in his gram panchayat.
Surendra Bhatra, former PEO of Parchipara GP and Kacharapada-III GP under Raighar Block will be forwarded to the court for misappropriating government funds exceeding Rs. 65 lakhs, allocated to the gram panchayats for developmental works during 2023-24.
According to vigilance, the misappropriated funds include over Rs. 50 lakhs allotted to Kacharapada-III GP and over Rs. 15 lakhs to Parchipara GP. The Odisha Vigilance has registered two cases against Bhatra.
The investigation is currently underway, with the vigilance department probing the allegations of misappropriation and non-execution of developmental works.
