Bhubaneswar, Sep 23 The Odisha Vigilance department on Wednesday arrested a panchayat executive officer (PEO) of Bargarh district, a day after unearthing 35 plots, two buildings, a market complex, a godown, Rs 2.98 lakh cash and other assets from his possession, officials said.
Acting on a tip-off, vigilance officers conducted raids at six locations on the properties of Kartikeswar Behera, PEO, Katabhal panchayat in Bargarh district.
During the search operation, vigilance found a double-storeyed building, an under-construction building, a market complex, a godown, 35 plots, Rs 2.98 lakh cash, one four-wheeler, a tractor and four motorcycles, officials said.
Besides, gold, household articles, etc, worth around Rs 3.70 lakh and mahua flower worth Rs 22 lakh stored in the godown were found, vigilance officials said.
The anti-corruption department registered a case against Behera at its Sambalpur police station and arrested him on Wednesday, they said.
Behera joined government service in July 1994 as secretary of Gaisilet GP with an initial salary of Rs 500 per month. In 2009, he was promoted to the rank of PEO. He has been serving for over 30 years in the Bargarh district, and his present salary is Rs 52,320, they said.
(PTI News)
