Bhubaneswar, 3 October (H.S.) The Odisha Vigilance on Friday announced that the pensionary benefits of Ramesh Chandra Behera, Ex-Assistant Commercial Tax Officer of Unified Check Gate, Chikiti in Ganjam district, have been permanently withheld following his conviction in a disproportionate assets (DA) case.

According to an official press release, Behera was chargesheeted by Odisha Vigilance under Section 13(2) read with 13(1)(e) of the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, 2018 and Section 109 of the IPC for amassing assets disproportionate to his known sources of income.

He was convicted earlier by the Hon’ble Special Judge, Vigilance, Berhampur, and sentenced to undergo three years of rigorous imprisonment along with a fine. Following his conviction, Odisha Vigilance moved the competent authority to initiate action under the OCS (Pensions) Rules, 1992.

“The competent authority, after due consideration, has ordered that the pensionary benefits of Sri Ramesh Chandra Behera be withheld in full and permanently,” the Vigilance release stated.

The move reflects the State Government’s zero-tolerance policy against corruption, ensuring that convicted officials are not allowed to enjoy retirement benefits earned through abuse of public office.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda