Odisha Minister Warns: Corrupt Officials Will Face Jail

Bhubaneswar: In a strong message aimed at rooting out corruption from the state machinery, Odisha Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Suresh Pujari on Monday declared that the government will take strict action against any official found guilty of graft, regardless of rank or political influence.

Speaking to mediapersons, Pujari said, “The campaign against corruption has begun, and no one will be spared. Whoever engages in corruption will go to jail, irrespective of their position.” His statement comes in the wake of a series of recent crackdowns, including the high-profile case of an IAS officer caught red-handed accepting a ₹10 lakh bribe. A subsequent raid on the officer’s residence led to the recovery of ₹47 lakh in unaccounted cash.

Reiterating the government’s commitment to clean governance, the minister called upon the public and officials alike to cooperate in the anti-corruption drive. “Both giving and accepting bribes are serious offences. We appeal to citizens to refrain from such acts and help us eliminate corruption from the system,” he stated.

The remarks are part of a broader effort by the Odisha government to promote transparency, ensure accountability, and restore public trust in government institutions. With several officials already under investigation or arrested, the state has sent a clear and uncompromising signal that corruption will not be tolerated under any circumstances.