Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Vigilance today afternoon caught Praveen Hota Assistant Engineer, Electrical, TPSODL, Boriguma in Koraput district while demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs 10,000 from a complainant, who is a Helper employed on outsourcing basis at Boriguma Electrical Section, threatening to discontinue his contractual engagement otherwise.
The entire bribe money Rs 10,000 has been recovered from Hota and seized. He has been arrested and will be forwarded to the Court, said an official press note issued by the Vigilance.
Following the trap, simultaneous searches were launched on properties of Hota at four places in Koraput and Ganjam districts. During the searches, Vigilance officials have recovered Rs 4,05,600 cash so far, the press note added.
The press note said that a case has been registered against Hota at the Koraput Vigilance police station in this connection.
Hota was under the scanner of Vigilance following allegations of tampering of meters, exchange of transformers showing them as damaged, providing illegal connections to small and medium commercial consumers, etc.
Further investigation against Hota is in progress, the press note added.
“We are looking into the case and are in touch with the State Vigilance Department. The bribery charge against the Engineer is a matter of serious concern for us and against the work ethics of TPSODL. We have already initiated an internal enquiry through a high level committee comprising of senior most officials. A strict action will be taken against the erring officer which may include suspension and even termination of services.” said Arvind Singh, CEO, TPSODL in a statement on the issue.
