Bhubaneswar: A Special Vigilance court in Bhawanipatna on Monday convicted a retired senior clerk-cum-cashier of Thuamul Rampur Block in Kalahandi district in a government fund misappropriation case and sentenced him to two years’ simple imprisonment along with a fine of Rs 3 lakh, officials said.
Lochan Jena, former Senior Clerk-cum-Cashier of Thuamul Rampur Block, was charge-sheeted by the Odisha Vigilance under Section 13(2) read with Section 13(1)(c) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, and Section 409 of the Indian Penal Code.
According to the Vigilance, Jena had misappropriated government funds earmarked for four road projects under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) during 2006-07 by showing double payments against single muster rolls.
The Special Judge, Vigilance, Bhawanipatna, found him guilty and awarded two years’ simple imprisonment besides imposing a fine of Rs 3 lakh.
Following the conviction, Odisha Vigilance said it will move the competent authority to stop Jena’s pension in accordance with the applicable rules governing convicted retired government employees.
