Bhubaneswar, April 6: The Odisha Vigilance on Monday arrested one Dillip Kumar Pradhan, currently serving as the Panchayat Executive Officer (PEO) of Ratanpur GP under Tangi Block of Khordha district, for allegedly siphoning off nearly Rs 11.28 lakh of Government funds.
According to Vigilance Directorate communique, Pradhan is accused of misappropriating Government funds amounting to Rs 11,28,600 during his previous tenure (January 2023 to July, 2024) as the PEO of Balipatna Panchayat Samiti.
Detailed investigations by the Vigilance revealed that the misappropriated amount was specifically earmarked for the Madhu Babu Pension Yojana (MBPY). These funds were intended for disbursement to eligible beneficiaries, including the elderly and vulnerable, in Pampalo and Rajas gram panchayat under the Balianta Block.
Instead of reaching the intended recipients, the funds were illegally diverted and siphoned off by the Pradhan.
“In light of the evidence gathered, Bhubaneswar Vigilance P.S. Case No. 6 (dated 06.04.2026) under Prevention of Corruption Act, 2018 and BNS has been registered against Pradhan,” it stated.
The State Government provides social security allowances under MBPY to elderly people, widows, PwDs, unmarried women, cured leprosy patients, AIDS patients identified by OSACS, divorcee/destitute, transgenders, widows, children orphaned during Covid-19 and other vulnerable people.
