Odisha Vigilance trapped a government officer in Bhawanipatna, Kalahandi district, while she allegedly accepted a bribe of Rs 35,000. The accused, identified as Ms Priyanka Jena, MGNREGA Assistant at the office of PD Watershed, was caught red-handed on Monday.
Reports said a beneficiary had executed farm ponds under the MGNREG scheme with a bill amount of Rs 2.68 lakh released in his favour. Jena allegedly demanded Rs 35,000 to clear the pending bill and threatened to block the process unless the bribe was paid. The beneficiary, frustrated after repeated visits to the office, approached Vigilance authorities and reported the harassment.
Acting on the complaint, Vigilance officials organised a trap. Jena received Rs 35,000 near Irrigation Chhak in Bhawanipatna, and officers immediately apprehended her. The tainted money was recovered and seized from her possession.
Following the arrest, Vigilance teams launched simultaneous searches at two locations linked to Jena to investigate disproportionate assets. Officials confirmed that a case has been registered under Koraput Vigilance PS Case No. 09/2026, U/s 7 PC (Amendment) Act, 2018.
