Bhubaneswar, 20 February (H.S.): Sri Biharilal Barik, the former Village Level Worker (VLW) of Deogaon Block in Bolangir District, was convicted today in a corruption case by the Special Judge, Vigilance, Bolangir.

Barik, who was retired at the time of the conviction, was charge-sheeted by the Odisha Vigilance under sections 13(2) read with 13(1)(c) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, and sections 467/409 of the Indian Penal Code. The charges stemmed from the misappropriation of government rice allocated under the NFFW (National Food for Work) and SGRY (Sampoorna Gramin Rozgar Yojana) schemes, which were intended for various developmental works. He was found guilty of manipulating official records to divert government funds and rice. read a press release issued by Vigilance Department.

The court sentenced Sri Biharilal Barik to two years of rigorous imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs. 20,000. Following the conviction, the Odisha Vigilance will approach the competent authority to initiate proceedings for the stoppage of his pension.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda