Nayagada: The Odisha Vigilance on Friday apprehended Prasanta Kumar Bhatta, accountant-cum-data entry operator (ADEO) of Raj Jankia gram panchayat under RanpurbBlock in Nayagada district, while allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 4,000.
The accused was caught taking the money from a beneficiary under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G) to facilitate the release of the bonus amount and pending payment due as a job card holder under MGNREGS for the construction of a PMAY-G house.
According to the vigilance department, the beneficiary had completed the house construction work on time in March 2025. Since then, he had been repeatedly approaching Bhatta for the release of the bonus admissible under PMAY-G for timely completion of the work, along with the dues under MGNREGS. A few days ago, Bhatta had already allegedly taken Rs 7,000 from the beneficiary. He later demanded an additional Rs 4,000 for the same purpose.
Following which, the beneficiary lodged a complaint with the vigilance authorities detailing the harassment. Acting on the complaint, a vigilance team laid a trap and caught Bhatta red-handed while accepting the Rs 4,000 bribe. The entire tainted amount has been recovered from his possession and seized.
Simultaneous searches are being carried out at two locations linked to Bhatta from the disproportionate assets angle. A case has been registered against him under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, 2018. and further investigation is underway.