Berhampur: A special vigilance court in Berhampur on Friday sentenced Bijay Pradhan (62), former secretary of Chandanpur gram panchayat, to three years of rigorous imprisonment for misappropriating govt resources worth several lakhs during 2004-06.
Special judge Arun Kumar Sahoo also imposed a fine of Rs 25,000 on Pradhan, who faces an additional six months of imprisonment if he fails to pay it.
The case came to light when a vigilance team conducted a surprise inspection on Oct 16, 2007, discovering the misappropriation of 198 quintals of rice allocated under the sampoorna grameen rozgar yojana (SGRY-I&II) and national food for work programme (NFFWP).
The investigation also revealed that Pradhan, in collaboration with then executive officer Kailash Chandra Sahu, had misappropriated 64 bags of cement valued at Rs 2.67 lakh, received under the 11th finance commission. Sahu died during the trial period.
“The court’s verdict came after examining 16 witnesses and verifying relevant documents,” said Surendra Nath Panda, special public prosecutor.
Following the conviction, vigilance authorities will approach the competent authority to stop Pradhan’s pension, according to official sources.
The anti-corruption agency had registered the case against Pradhan on Dec 26, 2007, following the discovery of the misappropriation during their surprise check at the panchayat office in Ganjam district’s Beguniapada block.