Odisha Vigilance Arrests Former PACS Secretary for  Rs.42.31 Lakh Paddy Fund Misappropriation

News Desk, Odishabarta

Balangir, August 18, 2026: In a major crackdown on corruption in government paddy procurement, Odisha Vigilance has arrested Sanoj Kumar Mishra, former Secretary of Tusura Primary Agricultural Cooperative Society (PACS) Ltd. under Gudvela Block of Balangir district, for allegedly misappropriating government funds amounting to ₹42.31 lakh.

Mishra was arrested following an extensive Vigilance investigation into financial irregularities and alleged fraudulent practices during the Kharif Marketing Season (KMS) 2014–15. He was subsequently forwarded to the Court of the Special Judge, Vigilance, Balangir.

During the relevant period, Mishra was responsible for procuring paddy from local farmers and ensuring its timely dispatch to designated (tagged) rice mills for custom milling.

According to the investigation, a substantial quantity of paddy procured with government funds was neither delivered to the tagged rice mills nor properly accounted for in the stock records of the PACS. The alleged non-delivery of paddy and fraudulent accounting resulted in diversion of funds and caused a financial loss of Rs.42,31,608 to the society.

In connection with the case, Sambalpur Vigilance Police Station Case No. 12, dated 16.08.2026, has been registered against Mishra under Section 13(2) read with Section 13(1)(c) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, and Section 409 of the IPC.

The investigation is currently in progress.

Odisha Vigilance has stated that further legal action will follow based on the findings of the ongoing investigation.