Ayurvedic Ayush doctor Balaram Patra of the New Patraput CHC in Nabarangpur district was arrested on Monday by Vigilance officials for demanding and accepting bribe of Rs8,000. He had demanded the bribe from one Madan Naik, a night watcher of the CHC, for releasing his pending remuneration.
Naik had alleged that he is getting remuneration of Rs 1,500 per month along with similar incentive of Rs1, 000 from the Rogi Kalyan Samiti of the CHC. In April, he was paid till February 2016 amounting to Rs28,000. His remuneration from the month of March is pending. The MO I/C asked him to pay Rs14,000 out of the paid amount of Rs28,000; otherwise he would be terminated from job and would not get his arrear remuneration. When Naik requested him to reduce the amount, he reduced it to Rs8,000. On Naik’s complaint, a trap was laid and accused Dr Patra was caught red-handed by Vigilance officers in his office room.