Village Agriculture Worker nabbed while taking bribe

Angul: Biswanath Das, the Village Agriculture Worker (VAW) of Kadalimunda Grama Panchayat, Raniakota Grama Panchayat and Dhaurapalli Grama Panchayat in Angul district, has been apprehended by Odisha Vigilance while demanding and taking bribe of Rs 20,000.

The Village Agriculture Worker was taking the bribe from an empanelled NGO of the Government (complainant) to countersign the Utilization Certificates related to distribution of seeds and pesticides to the farmers.

The accused Biswanath Das was a member in the distribution group. After distribution, when the complainant approached the VAW, he demanded bribe amount of Rs 20,000 to countersign the utlization certificates for clearance of bills.

Left with no option, the complainant approached the Vigilance authorities. Following this, a Vigilance team nabbed the accused VAW today while taking bribe Rs 20,000. They also recovered and seized the entire tainted bribe money from the exclusive possession of Das.

Following the trap, simultaneous searches are going on at two locations of the VAW from Disproportionate Asset (DA) angle.

In this connection, Cuttack Vigilance PS Case No.28 dtd 08.09.2025, U/s-7PC (Amendment) Act, 2018has been registered against the Village Agriculture Worker.

Further investigation is in progress and detailed report follows.