Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Vigilance has apprehended a former Panchayat Executive Officer (PEO) for allegedly misappropriating more than ₹53 lakh in government funds. This incident reportedly occurred in the Daringbadi block of Kandhamal district, as confirmed by officials on Thursday.

The investigation was initiated after the Panchayati Raj department alerted the authorities about the suspected embezzlement involving Akrura Majhi, the ex-PEO of Saramuli Gram Panchayat.

According to the vigilance officials, it was discovered that Majhi misappropriated ₹53,38,809 allocated under the 15th Central Finance Commission and the 5th State Finance Commission. This misappropriation occurred during his tenure from October 31, 2023, to November 18, 2024, when he failed to carry out the necessary developmental projects for Saramuli Gram Panchayat.

Despite this, Majhi falsely recorded the completion of various projects in the Cash Book and claimed payments for these works.

Following the findings, Majhi was dismissed from his position due to the significant financial loss caused to the government. He is currently assigned to the office of the Block Development Officer in Daringbadi.

After the investigation, Odisha Vigilance arrested Majhi, who was subsequently presented before the Court of Special Judge, Vigilance, in Phulbani.

A case has been filed against him under sections 13(2) and 13(1) of the PC (Amendment) Act, 2018, along with section 316(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

It's worth noting that numerous government officials, including IAS and OAS officers, as well as senior engineers, have recently faced scrutiny from the vigilance department for financial misconduct and corruption allegations.

Earlier this month, the Vigilance Department also arrested Dhiman Chakma, a sub-collector from Dharamgarh in Kalahandi district, for allegedly accepting a bribe of ₹10 lakh from a businessman, threatening to take action against his stone crusher operation.