Odisha Vigilance arrested Assistant Fisheries Officer (AFO) Suresh Kumar Behera from Polasara, Ganjam, for accepting a bribe of Rs 8,000 through PhonePe from a beneficiary under the “Assistance to Network Fish Seed Growers” scheme.

On October 15, 2025, Behera allegedly demanded the bribe to release a subsidy of approximately Rs 1.38 lakh and issue a money receipt for Rs 43,000 paid toward fish spawn procurement from the government hatchery at Bhanjanagar. The beneficiary had invested Rs 2.31 lakh in the project and was entitled to a 60% subsidy.

Despite repeated requests, Behera delayed issuing the receipt and insisted on a digital payment to his mobile number. The complainant, frustrated by the harassment, reported the matter to Odisha Vigilance.

Soon after the transaction, Vigilance o

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