In dock over misappropriating covid funds, lady OAS officer arrested after seizure of unaccounted cash in Odisha

Koraput Vigilance Division on Friday arrested OAS officer Akhyamita Kartik a day after seizure of Rs 4.92 lakh unaccounted cash from her official vehicle.

Akhyamita is posted as the Block Development Officer (BDO) of Golamunda block in Kalahandi district. The Vigilance team had intercepted her when she was travelling from Bhawanipatna to Koraput.

As per Vigilance officials, Akhyamita had cleverly concealed the cash inside the rear door of her official Bolero vehicle to evade detection.

“Akhyamita was acting in a cautious manner after facing action in the form of a departmental enquiry and a police case on allegations of corruption,” said Vigilance officials.

OAS Officer & List Of Irregularities

When posted as Gunpur Tehsildar in Rayagada in 2008, Akhyamita had allegedly misappropriated Red Cross funds and a case was lodged by the district administration in police station. Later, Akhyamita was transferred after she staged a demonstration against the local MLA in Nabarangpur district.

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Not only this, Akhyamita was placed under suspension by the Panchayati Raj Department for misappropriation of Covid funds while she was posted as BDO Kosagumuda.

Despite a track record of irregularities and corruption, the previous government had allowed Akhyamita to work and was handed over responsibilities in various places. This has now raised several eyebrows.

What Vigilance Department Says

As Akhyamita Kartik could not satisfactorily account for the cash, she has been placed under arrest today. The Koraput Vigilance Division has registered a case under section U/s13(2), (1)(b) PC (Amendment) Act, 2018 against her.

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