Balasore, Apr 2: The Odisha Vigilance on Wednesday arrested Girish Chandra Behera, Incharge Secretary of Durgadevi Co-Operative Society in Balasore district, for embezzling government funds. 

He allegedly diverted Rs 5.8 lakh from the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY), which was meant as an indemnity claim for 38 farmers affected between 2021 and 2023.

A case has been registered against Behera under sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 2018, and the Indian Penal Code (IPC). 

He has been forwarded to court, and further investigation into the matter was underway, said an official.