Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Vigilance on Friday arrested Himanshu Das, former managing director of Betnoti Large Area Multi-Purpose Cooperative Society (LAMPCS) Ltd in Mayurbhanj district, for allegedly misappropriating ₹40.94 lakh of society funds.
The case pertains to large-scale financial irregularities at Betnoti LAMPCS during the 2017-18 financial year. While serving as managing director, Das collected substantial sums from local farmers towards repayment of agricultural and crop loans, member share capital contributions, application form fees and administrative charges. He issued money receipts acknowledging the payments. However, he deliberately omitted entering these transactions into the official Day Book of Betnoti LAMPCS and diverted the funds for personal use, resulting in the misappropriation of ₹40,94,306. He was dismissed from service on April 4, 2022.
A case has been registered against Das under Section 13(2), 13(1)(c) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, and Section 409 of the Indian Penal Code, and further investigation is underway.
