Koraput: The Odisha Vigilance on Thursday caught an Assistant Electrical Engineer of TPSODL in Borigumma of Koraput district for demanding and accepting Rs 10,000 as bribe from a contractual employee threatening to discontinue his engagement.
The accused, identified as Praveen Hota, Assistant Engineer (Electrical), TPSODL, Borigumma, was caught by Vigilance sleuths this afternoon while demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs.10,000 from a helper employed on an outsourcing basis at Boriguma Electrical Section, threatening to discontinue his contractual engagement otherwise.
The entire bribe money has been recovered from Hota and seized while simultaneous searches have been launched on his properties at four places in Koraput and Ganjam districts, the Vigilance said.
The Vigilance further informed that Hota was under its scanner following allegations against him of tampering meters, exchange of transformers showing them as damaged, providing illegal connections to small and medium commercial consumers etc.
In this connection Koraput Vigilance P.S case No. 03/2022 has been registered and investigation in progress against Hota, the Odisha Vigilance added.
On the other hand, the discom TPSODL has issued a statement in this regard.
“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 Mr Arvind Singh, CEO, TPSODL.
