Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has cautioned officials and the public against a fake and fabricated promotion order allegedly issued in the name of the Panchayati Raj & Drinking Water (PR & DW) Department, which has been widely circulated on social media platforms.
In a letter issued on July 14, 2026, Special Secretary to the Government, Panchayati Raj & Drinking Water Department, Surya Narayan Dash, informed all Collectors and District Magistrates (DMs) about the circulation of the forged document and directed them to take necessary steps to prevent its further spread.
The department clarified that the fake order, bearing No. PR-PDO-ESTT-0223-2023-17409 and purportedly issued on July 3, 2026, was not issued by the government. It further stated that the promotion order mentioned in the circulated document had neither been approved nor issued by the department.
“The said communication has not been issued by this Department and has been found to be forged. No such promotion order has been passed by this Department,” the letter stated.
The department has instructed district administrations to immediately inform all subordinate offices and field-level officials about the fake nature of the document and ensure that it is completely disregarded.
Collectors have also been directed to prevent further circulation of the forged order and issue necessary clarifications to public representatives and field-level officials wherever confusion arises.
The department has advised officials to remain vigilant and monitor the circulation of such fake communications. It added that a separate public clarification would be issued through the Information & Public Relations (I&PR) Department.
Meanwhile, the matter is being referred to the Home Department for the registration of an FIR and the initiation of an investigation by the Cyber Crime Cell to identify those responsible for creating and circulating the forged document.
