“Odisha Vigilance Nabs Panchayat Staffer in Mayurbhanj Bribe Case | MGNREGS Corruption
Odisha Vigilance officials apprehended a Gram Panchayat staffer in Mayurbhanj district after he was caught red-handed accepting a bribe from a farmer under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS).
On December 6, 2025, Hemanta Kumar Behera, Accountant-cum-Data Entry Operator (ADEO) of Talapada Gram Panchayat, Badasahi Block, allegedly demanded Rs 2,500 from a beneficiary to generate a work code for a sanctioned farm pond. The code is mandatory for issuing a work order.
The farmer, who had been requesting the code for over a month, reported the harassment to the Vigilance authorities. Acting swiftly, officials laid a trap and recovered the entire bribe amount from Behera’s possession.
Investigators revealed that Behera had faced similar complaints in the past. Following his arrest, simultaneous searches were conducted at two locations linked to him to examine disproportionate assets.
Balasore Vigilance Police Station registered Case No.18 dated 05.12.2025 under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, 2018.
Authorities confirmed that a detailed investigation report will follow as inquiries continue into Behera’s alleged corrupt practices.
This incident underscores Odisha’s ongoing efforts to curb corruption and protect welfare schemes designed for marginalised communities such as SC/ST, BPL, and small or marginal farmers.