Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Vigilance sleuths on Wednesday apprehended Brahmapur’s Chief District Agriculture Officer Byomkesh Mishra while accepting a bribe of Rs 15,000 to process a subsidy file under the Mukhya Mantri Krushi Udyog Yojana.
According to the vigilance department, the complainant, a beneficiary under the integrated farming systems component of the scheme, had been approaching Mishra for nearly two months to get his file cleared. Under the scheme guidelines, eligible farmers are entitled to a 50 per cent subsidy on the amount invested in farming and related infrastructure.
Despite repeated requests, Mishra allegedly delayed processing the file and instead demanded Rs 15,000 upfront, along with a fixed percentage of the subsidy amount at the time of its release.
Aggrieved by the demand, the beneficiary lodged a complaint with the vigilance authorities.
Acting on the tip-off, a team of Odisha Vigilance laid a trap and apprehended Mishra in Brahmapur as he accepted the bribe money. The entire tainted amount of Rs 15,000 was recovered from his possession and seized.
Following the trap, simultaneous searches were launched at three locations linked to Mishra from the disproportionate assets angle.
A case has been registered under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, 2018, and further investigation is underway.
