Odisha Vigilance on Friday arrested two former Panchayat Executive Officers (PEOs) in Puri district for allegedly misappropriating government funds worth Rs 30.78 lakh meant for beneficiaries of the Madhu Babu Pension Yojana (MBPY).
Odisha Vigilance
Odisha Vigilance on Friday arrested two former Panchayat Executive Officers (PEOs) in Puri district for allegedly misappropriating government funds worth Rs 30.78 lakh meant for beneficiaries of the Madhu Babu Pension Yojana (MBPY).
The accused have been identified as Sulamani Jani, former PEO of Gadamrugsira and Jamarsuan Gram Panchayats under Sadar block, currently attached to the Sadar Block Office, and Tuna Pradhan, former PEO of Sahupada Gram Panchayat under Kanas block, now attached to the Gop Block Office.
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Both government functionaries are involved in separate cases of alleged financial fraud committed between 2022 and 2025. Investigations revealed that they allegedly retained pension amounts that remained undisbursed and diverted the funds instead of depositing them back into the government account.
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Jani is accused of misappropriating Rs 15,74,820, while Pradhan allegedly siphoned off Rs 15,03,800, taking the total amount involved to Rs 30,78,620. The funds were earmarked for vulnerable beneficiaries, including elderly persons, persons with disabilities and destitute individuals.
The accused persons, booked under the relevant provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act, were arrested. They were produced before the Court of the Special Judge (Vigilance), Bhubaneswar, on Friday. Further investigation is in progress.
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