Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Vigilance on Monday arrested Dillip Kumar Pradhan, a Panchayat Executive Officer (PEO), for allegedly siphoning off government funds amounting to Rs 11,28,600 meant for beneficiaries under Madhu Babu Pension Yojana (MBPY).
While Pradhan is currently serving as a PEO at Ratanpur Gram Panchayat under Tangi Block in Khurda district, the misappropriation allegedly took place between January 2023 and July 2024 while he was posted at Balipatna Panchayat Samiti.
According to a Vigilance release, the misappropriated amount was specifically allocated for disbursing pensions to eligible elderly and vulnerable beneficiaries in two gram panchayats – Pampalo and Rajas – under Balianta block. Investigations revealed that instead of reaching the intended recipients, the funds were illegally diverted and misappropriated by the accused officer.
A case has been registered at the Bhubaneswar Vigilance police station under relevant sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 2018, and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Pradhan is being produced before the Special Judge (Vigilance), Bhubaneswar, for further legal proceedings, it added.
