Balasore: A retired assistant horticulture officer was sentenced to three years of rigorous imprisonment by the special vigilance court in Balasore on Thursday after being convicted in a corruption case involving misappropriation of government funds under the National Horticulture Mission (NHM) scheme. A fine of Rs 50,000 was also imposed on him. On default in fine payment, he will have to undergo an additional six months of rigorous imprisonment.
Conviction Details
The convicted official, Prasanta Kumar Mishra (67), former assistant horticulture officer of Nilgiri in Balasore district, was found guilty under Sections 13(2) read with 13(1)(c) of the Prevention of Corruption Act and Section 409 of the Indian Penal Code. According to vigilance officials, Mishra had allegedly misappropriated government funds amounting to Rs 2.10 lakh meant for beneficiaries under the NHM scheme.
Misappropriation of Funds
The amount was withdrawn in phases from the NHM account in the State Bank of India, Nilgiri branch, between March 14, 2007 and July 14, 2007. However, the funds were neither distributed among the beneficiaries nor properly accounted for during an internal audit conducted in the office of the assistant horticulture officer, Nilgiri, between July 9 and July 30, 2008 for the financial years 2005-06 to 2007-08.
Trial and Evidence
Special public prosecutor Radhakanta Mohapatra stated that after examining 23 witnesses and about 40 documentary pieces of evidence, special judge (Vigilance), Balasore, Lalit Kumar Dash convicted Mishra on all counts. Mishra retired from government service in 2019.
This case highlights the vigilance department's efforts to curb corruption in government schemes. The conviction serves as a deterrent for officials involved in misappropriation of public funds.
