Bhawanipatna MGNREGA Assistant Nabbed in ₹35K Bribe Trap
Bhawanipatna, Kalahandi: Odisha Vigilance officials apprehended Priyanka Jena, an MGNREGA Assistant at the PD Watershed office in Bhawanipatna, while accepting a bribe of Rs 35,000.
According to reports, a beneficiary had completed farm pond work under the MGNREGS scheme, with a sanctioned bill of Rs 2.68 lakh.
Jena allegedly demanded the bribe to clear the pending payment, threatening to block the process otherwise.
Frustrated after repeated visits, the beneficiary lodged a complaint with Vigilance.
Acting on the tip‑off, officials laid a trap and caught Jena red‑handed near Irrigation Chhak while she received the money.
The tainted cash was seized from her possession.
Following the arrest, Vigilance teams conducted searches at two locations linked to Jena to probe disproportionate assets.
A case has been registered under Koraput Vigilance PS Case No. 09/2026, U/s 7 PC (Amendment) Act, 2018.
Authorities confirmed that further investigation is underway.
