Vigilance Raid / Odisha Agriculture Officer Nabbed Taking ₹15,000 Bribe

Brahmapur, Aug 13: The Vigilance Department in Brahmapur has arrested the Chief District Agriculture Officer, Byomkesh Mishra, while allegedly accepting a bribe of ₹15,000 from a beneficiary under the Chief Minister Krushi Udyog Yojana (MKUY).

The officer was caught red-handed while demanding money to approve subsidy funds for an Integrated Farming System project.

According to officials, Mishra had been delaying the processing of the beneficiary’s file for nearly two months despite repeated requests. Instead of clearing the file, he allegedly demanded ₹15,000 upfront and later a fixed percentage of the subsidy amount at the time of disbursement.

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Acting on the complaint, Vigilance laid a trap and arrested him while receiving the bribe.

Following the arrest, Vigilance registered Case No. 08/12.08.2026 under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, 2018. Mishra was taken into custody for interrogation, and further investigation is underway. He will be produced in court today.

The MKUY scheme provides 50 per cent subsidy to farmers and entrepreneurs investing in agriculture and allied sectors. However, the complaint revealed that Mishra was exploiting the process to demand illegal gratification.

Officials highlighted that Odisha Vigilance has intensified its crackdown on corruption. Between April 1 and December 31, 2025, the department was directed to investigate 125 cases — a record number within nine months. In 2025 alone, 488 cases were finalized, including 173 disproportionate assets cases, marking another record.

The Vigilance has also frozen 1,199 corrupt bank accounts of government employees and seized 153 buildings, 417 plots, 12 farmhouses, 18.3 kg of gold, ₹36.69 crore in deposits, and ₹8.8 crore in unaccounted cash.

The arrest of Mishra underscores the government’s ongoing drive against corruption, particularly in schemes meant to benefit farmers.