Panchayat officer in vigilance net

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Vigilance on Wednesday arrested a panchayat executive officer (PEO) of Baragada district, a day after unearthing 35 plots, two buildings, a market complex, a godown, Rs 2.98 lakh cash and other assets from his possession, officials said.

Acting on a tip-off, Vigilance officers conducted raids at six locations on the properties of Kartikeswar Behera, PEO, Katabhal panchayat in Baragada district. During the search operation, Vigilance found a double-storeyed building, an under-construction building, a market complex, a godown, 35 plots, Rs 2.98 lakh cash, one four-wheeler, a tractor and four motorcycles, officials said. Besides, gold, household articles, etc, worth around Rs 3.70 lakh and mahua flower worth Rs 22 lakh stored in the godown were found, Vigilance officials said. The anti-corruption department registered a case against Behera at its Sambalpur police station and arrested him on Wednesday. Behera joined government service in July 1994 as secretary of Gaisilet gram panchayat with an initial salary of Rs 500 per month. In 2009, he was promoted to the rank of PEO. He has been serving for over 30 years in Baragada district, and his present salary is Rs 52,320. The Odisha Vigilance said that six teams, led by five Deputy Superintendents of Police, eight Inspectors, two Assistant Sub-Inspectors and other supporting staff conducted the searches on the strength of search warrants issued by the Special Judge, Vigilance, Baragada.