Odisha IAS officer returns Rs 3.27 lakh to OSCB in medical bill reimbursement case

Bhubaneswar, July 9: Senior IAS officer Bishnupada Sethi has returned Rs 3.27 lakh to Odisha State Cooperative Bank (OSCB) which he had drawn for treatment of his father and wife during his tenure as Management-in-charge. Sethi returned the money on June 25 by payment through three cheques. This complaint against Sethi by the complainant Srikanta Pakal mentioned the IAS officer withdrawing money to the tune of lakhs during his tenure as its Management-in-charge between February 2013 and July 2015. The complainant further alleged Sethi of withdrawing other medical bills amounting to Rs 9.46 lakh without the approval of the Board of OSCB. The complainant has also submitted that Sethi not being a regular employee of the OSCB was not entitled to receive any incentive from the profit of OSCB as the same is only meant for its employees. In his reply, Sethi has admitted to have reimbursed a sum of Rs 3.27 lakh on three occasions towards medical expenses for the treatment of his father and wife. He has categorically denied availing medical expenses amounting to Rs 9.46 lakh. According to him the medical bills were in fact reimbursed to him from the fund of the bank after permission from the State Government. He has also filed certain documents in support of his stand. The Lokayukta in its order said that it found no good ground to further dwell on the allegation of wrongful reimbursement of medical bills by Sethi as he returned the money. The Lokayukta also appreciated Sethi for his noble gesture before closing the case.