Bhubaneswar: Odisha Vigilance on Wednesday apprehended the District Resource Person (DRP) of Bargarh for Pradhan Mantri Formalization of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) scheme for allegedly taking bribe of Rs 30,000 from a beneficiary.
The accused was identified as Rakshi Meher, posted as DRP under GM, DIC, Bargarh for PMFME scheme. She was nabbed while demanding and taking bribe in shape of cash deposit Rs 30,000/- in her bank account from a beneficiary of the scheme for facilitating release of 35% subsidy of released loan amount of Rs.8,64,000/-.
The loan amount of Rs.8,64,000/- was released on March 15, 2026 towards a bakery unit to the beneficiary. Following the release of the loan amount, the beneficiary had been requesting accused DRP to process the file for release of subsidy amount of Rs 3,02,400/-. Instead of releasing the subsidy amount, Meher demanded bribe of Rs 30,000 from the beneficiary, and also asked him to deposit the bribe amount in her bank account. She also sent her bank account number by SMS from her mobile phone to beneficiary’s mobile number. Being a beneficiary under the scheme and having availed loan, it was not on his part to pay the demanded bribe.
Finding no other way, the beneficiary approached the vigilance authorities narrating his harassment. Following this, a team of Vigilance nabbed Meher while the beneficiary was depositing the bribe amount in her bank account as per her direction. The mobile phone of Meher along with receipt of bank message confirming deposit of Rs 30,000 has been seized.
Following the successful trap, simultaneous searches are going on at three locations of the DRP from Disproportionate Assets angle. A case has been registered and investigation is in progress.
