BALASORE: Vigilance officials on Thursday arrested the in-charge tehsildar of Soro for allegedly taking Rs 40,000 bribe from a person to release his stone-laden trucks on Thursday.
The accused in-charge tehsildar is 55-year-old Daitari Mallik, a native of Binjharpur in Jajpur district. Vigilance officials said Mallik had demanded the bribe from one Khan Qadri, a resident of Pathan Mohalla in Soro town, to release his stone-laden trucks which were seized by the administration earlier this month.
On Thursday afternoon, the in-charge tehsildar was reportedly taking Rs 40,000 bribe money through a person linked to the Soro truck association when he was nabbed by a four-member Vigilance team. Mallick’s associate Dayanidhi Jena, who is an employee of the local truck association, was also arrested.
Following the arrests, Vigilance officials conducted simultaneous raids on Mallik’s office, quarters and rented house at Chandrasekharpur in Bhubaneswar.
Vigilance SP Arun Kumar Nayak said the arrested duo was brought to Balasore Vigilance office for questioning. They will be produced in Vigilance court after completion of necessary formalities.
Padampur tehsildar placed under suspension
Sambalpur: The state government has placed Padampur tehsildar Bipin Pradhan under suspension following contemplation of a disciplinary proceeding against him.
As per an office order issued by the Revenue and Disaster Management department on Thursday, the action was taken under Rule 12 (1) (a) of the OCS (CC&A) Rules, 1962. During the period of suspension, Pradhan’s headquarters has been fixed at the office of the RDC (ND), Sambalpur. He has been directed not to leave the headquarters without prior permission.
During his visit to Sambalpur on February 4, Revenue and Disaster Management minister Suresh Pujari had warned that any dereliction of duty by revenue officials would invite strong disciplinary action.