Phulbani, Nov 28: The Odisha Vigilance has arrested a former Panchayat Executive Officer (PEO) of Kandhamal district for alleged embezzlement of government funds.
The vigilance sleuths arrested Binayak Nayak, former PEO of Kuerimandu Gram Panchayat under Phiringia Block.
According to the Vigilance authorities, Nayak is accused of misappropriating ₹12.87 lakh from the State Finance Commission (SFC) Fund of the Gram Panchayat. The funds were intended for local development projects but, as per the FIR, no development work was executed during the period between February and March 2025.
The case has been registered at Berhampur Vigilance Police Station, under relevant provisions of the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, 2018, and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
The Odisha Vigilance, which took swift action after a preliminary inquiry, stated that the arrest reflects the government’s zero-tolerance policy towards corruption in public offices.
