Odisha Vigilance today arrested three Panchayat‑level officials of Bhogarai Block in Baleshwar district for misappropriating government funds worth Rs 16.76 lakh meant for elderly beneficiaries.
The arrested officials are:
- Subrat Kumar Pati, Ex‑PEO, Kakhara GP, A/p‑Kusuda GP, Baleshwar
- Chittaranjan Bagsing, Ex‑PEO, Kumbharmuli GP, A/p‑Khaira Block, Baleshwar
- Goutam Dalai, Accountant‑cum‑Data Entry Operator, Jaleswarpur GP, Bhogarai Block, Baleshwar
According to Vigilance, during their tenure between 2022 and 2025, the trio regularly drew advance amounts from the Bhogarai Block Development Office for monthly disbursement of old‑age pensions. Instead of refunding or accounting for unutilized cash advances, they systematically siphoned off Rs 16,76,500 for personal gain.
A case has been registered under Baleshwar Vigilance PS Case No. 22/2026 U/s 13(2) r/w 13(1)(a) of the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, 2018 and Section 409 IPC. The accused are being forwarded to the Court of the Special Judge, Vigilance, Baleshwar.
The investigation is ongoing, with Vigilance officials vowing strict action against corruption in welfare schemes.
