BERHAMPUR: Ranjan Jena, the Welfare Extension Officer (WEO) in Daringbadi block of Kandhamal district, was arrested by Vigilance sleuths for allegedly accepting a bribe of `6,000 on Thursday. Jena had demanded the money from one Subash Chandra Singh to clear the pending electricity bills of Kirtikuti UG school. Subhash informed the anti-corruption wing, who laid a trap and caught Jena red-handed. His official quarters at Daringbadi and residence at Puri are being searched by the Vigilance sleuths.
Mid-day meal scarcity
At least 50 students of a Government High School in Hinjili had to starve due to the scarcity of mid-day meals on Thursday. Around 270 students are enrolled in the school. Mid-day meals, which are supplied by Manna Foundation, did not suffice for the total strength. After serving 220 students, no food was left except rice, for the remaining 50. Getting information, Hinjili BEO Reshamlal Nayak reached the spot and pacified the aggrieved students by assuring them of an impartial inquiry into the short supply of food.
Poster of Golpalpur Beach fest released
The poster of the five-day cultural extravaganza, Gopalpur Beach festival, was released by Higher Education Minister Pradeep Panigrahi here on Thursday. Various cultural programmes, exhibition, Pallishree mela, handicraft mela, sand art are scheduled to be organised as a part of the festival. Collector Prem Chandra Choudhary, BeMC Mayor K Madhavi, Dy Mayor Jyotshna Nayak, Gopalpur NAC Chairperson A Mahalaxmi were present.