Bhubaneswar: The Panchayati Raj & Drinking Water Department has issued a strong clarification after a forged letter falsely claiming the creation of a new post titled “Gram Panchayat Peon” went viral on social media and was even picked up by several media outlets.
According to the department, the fake letter—bearing number PR-PADM-OM-PG-064-2025/4232 and dated 24 November—misleadingly stated that the government had approved the new post with a monthly salary of ₹13,160. The department confirmed on Friday that no such communication has ever been issued, calling the circulating document “completely fake and forged.”
The widespread circulation of the letter has caused confusion among the public. In response, the department has initiated steps to file an FIR with the Cyber Crime Cell to trace the creators, sources and those responsible for spreading the forged communication.
All Collectors, BDOs, District Panchayat Officers and Gram Panchayat officials have been instructed to disregard the fake letter entirely and not act on its contents.
The department also urged citizens to rely only on information officially released through authenticated government channels and to immediately report any suspicious documents. The clarification was issued through an official statement posted by the I&PR Department, Odisha, on X on Friday.
