Zero Tolerance to Corruption: 8 More Officials Given Compulsory Retirement

Bhubaneswar: Continuing its zero tolerance policy towards corruption, the Odisha Government today awarded compulsory retirement to 8 officials on charges of corruption and inefficiency.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has always stressed on the significance of transparency in the administration. He has been continuing efforts to provide services to the people through a transparent, efficient and accountable administration while upholding integrity and morality in public life. As directed by the Chief Minister, the State Government has been continuing its crackdown on corrupt and incompetent officials, according to a statement issued by the CMO.

In this context, eight more officials, who are facing corruption cases, were given compulsory retirement on Friday by the Government.

The officials include three Odisha Administrative Service (OAS) officials, one former Superintendent Engineer, two CDPOs, former Deputy Superintendent of Excise, and a block office cashier.

With this, as many as 130 officials have been awarded compulsory retirement or dismissed from service by the state government so far, the statement added.
Rama Chandra Jena, former Tahasildar and in-charge Sub Registrar of Nimapara, is facing three corruption cases. Odisha Vigilance had seized five PAN cards and around 5 lakh rupees from his possession during a raid on November 2. He had been placed under suspension since then.

Gouranga Charan Mohanty, former Deputy Collector of Jagatsinghpur, is facing seven corruption cases. He had been charged with misappropriation of government funds and irregularities in the implementation of government schemes.

Similarly, Alphonsa Bilung, former Tehsildar of Lathikata in Sundargarh district and current BDO of Ambabhona in Bargarh district, is facing three corruption cases. He had granted undue favour in terms of conversion of land and revenue collection.

Bidhan Chandra Sahu, former Superintending Engineer of Baitarani Irrigation Division, Keonjhar, is facing one corruption case. The anti-corruption officers had caught him with Rs 10 lakh unaccounted cash when he was on his way home in Cuttack last month. He was also found in possession of disproportionate assets during subsequent raids on properties associated with him.

Other officials include Child Development Project Officer (CDPO) of Biswanathpur under Lanjigarh block in Kalahandi district, Meena Patra; CDPO of Thuamul Rampur in Kalahandi district, Pushpanjali Rath, Former in-charge Superintendent of Excise of Deogarh district, Ajit Kumar Mohapatra.