In unprecedented actions against corrupt bureaucrats in the State’s history, the Naveen Patnaik Government has shown as many as 48 officers the door within a little more than a month since August 31.
On Friday alone, the Government dismissed an OAS officer from service and gave compulsory retirement to a Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF), a Deputy Commissioner of Excise, a Regional Transport Officer (RTO) and an Assistant Civil Supplies Officer (ACSO).
The dismissed OAS officer Pradeep Kumar Behera, Tehsildar at Kaptipada in Mayurbhanj district, was Block Development Officer (BDO) at Komna in Nuapada district. He was convicted in a Vigilance case during his posting at Koraput in 2008.
DCF Sarat Chandra Panda had been booked by the Vigilance for acquiring properties worth Rs 4.5 crore, which was excess to his known sources of income. Bank deposits of more than Rs 4 crore were found in his and his family members’ accounts. This was the highest detection of cash in the account of a Government servant and his family members in the State.
Panda was arrested on February 26, 2017 and remanded to judicial custody till March 10, 2017. He was placed under suspension from February 26, 2017 to June 21, 2019.
The Vigilance had booked Deputy Commissioner of Excise Dillip Kumar Nag while he was posted at Cuttack in 2012 for acquiring properties worth over Rs 1.5 crore in his and his family members’ names. He was arrested and placed under suspension from November 20, 2012 to March 3, 2015.
Assets worth Rs 3.61 crore, disproportionate to the known sources of income of Basant Kumar Behera, RTO were found. He was booked in 2018 in the disproportionate assets case. He was also booked in another case in 2014 for misappropriation of Government revenue of Rs 4.62 lakh from collection of tax and penalties on vehicles during his tenure as RTO, Bargarh.
ACSO Ashok Kumar Majhi was booked in two cases for disproportionate assets and showing undue favour to a rice mill in 2008 and 2014, respectively. He was suspended for failure to discharge his duty during Cyclone Fani.