Odisha’s anti-corruption watchdog has arrested two key panchayat officials for allegedly siphoning off government funds intended for the welfare of the elderly and widowed.
The duo, comprising Tuna Pradhan, the Panchayat Executive Officer (PEO), and Sagar Kumar Das, the Gram Rozgar Sevak (GRS), both attached to Kanas Panchayat Samiti in Puri district, were taken into custody today amid allegations of embezzling ₹21.98 lakhs over a three-year period.
The misappropriated funds were earmarked for the Old Age Pension (OAP) and Madhu Babu Pension Yojana (MBPY) schemes, critical lifelines for thousands of underprivileged beneficiaries across the state.
According to officials, the accused failed to disburse the money to eligible recipients during the fiscal years 2022-23 to 2024-25, instead pocketing the amount for personal gain.
The arrests stem from a formal complaint lodged with the Bhubaneswar Vigilance Police Station, leading to the registration of Case No. 20/2025 under Section 13(2) read with 13(1)(a) of the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, 2018, along with Sections 316(5) and 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
