A Vigilance team led by DSP Harekrushna Behera and Inspector P Chatria detained Executive Officer of Phulbani Municipality Biranchi Narayan Hota while taking bride of Rs 10,000 from one Tuna Patra for approving enhancement of daily market collection rate from 50 paise-Rs 1 to Rs 2-Rs 4.
The officer had taken charge on March 1. The auction for the rate was held this month. While the auction cost is Rs 1.48 lakh, Patra had deposited Rs 40,000 as security deposit and Rs 50,000 as first instalment for enhancement of the rate.
However, when Hota demanded bribe of Rs 20,000, Patra agreed to pay Rs 10,000. The Vigilance sleuths caught Hota red-handed and took him to the Vigilance office for further investigation, following which he would be court-forwarded, said DSP Behera.