Officers to be dismissed from service if caught taking bribes, warns Additional Chief Secretary Arabinda Padhee

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Bhubaneswar: Action, extending up to dismissal from service, will be taken against any officer caught accepting bribes, warned Revenue and Disaster Management Additional Chief Secretary Dr Arabinda Kumar Padhee.

Padhee issued the warning while expressing his deep concern over an incident where an ORS (Odisha Revenue Service) officer, currently on probation, was caught in a Vigilance trap.

In a letter addressed to all departmental staff, he emphasized the importance of integrity and ethics. There will be no escape for those who engage in corruption; if found guilty of accepting bribes, the consequences could include dismissal from service.

In the letter, Padhee mentions that, just a few days ago, an oath of integrity and honesty was administered across all state government offices, with everyone pledging to refrain from corruption. However, he expresses deep shock and distress that, within days of this, a young ORS officer—currently in the training phase—has been caught on charges of taking a bribe.

He remarked that the occurrence of such an incident—despite repeated emphasis on ethics and honesty in government service—is both shameful and condemnable. A government job is not merely a means of earning a livelihood; rather, it is an opportunity to serve the public, the Revenue Additional Chief Secretary has laid special emphasis on this point in his letter.

He noted that corruption by an official does not just tarnish the individual concerned; it also undermines the reputation of the entire department. Such actions erode the public’s trust in the administration and the government system.

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Padhee clarified that the department maintains a ‘zero-tolerance’ policy towards corruption. Strict action has been—and will continue to be—taken against any official or employee found guilty of corruption, in accordance with the law and service rules. Where necessary, measures such as dismissal from service will also be initiated.

Padhee has not merely issued a warning to the corrupt; he has also offered significant reassurance to honest and dutiful officers. As the Secretary of the department, he has pledged to personally uphold all standards of ethics, discipline, and integrity. Furthermore, he has assured that he will always stand by those officers and employees who perform their duties with integrity.

He has specifically stated that he will strive to protect honest officers from undue external pressure and interference by individuals with malicious intent. He expressed his belief that the department possesses many honest, courageous, and dutiful officers who are capable of bringing about visible change in society.

In his letter, the Revenue and Disaster Management Additional Chief Secretary has stated that a clear conscience, self-respect, and a peaceful life are far more valuable than wealth and power acquired through dishonest means.

Towards the end of the letter, the Revenue Secretary has urged all his colleagues to engage in self-reflection. He emphasized the need for everyone to resolve to build a department that is transparent, honest, corruption-free, and dedicated to public service. He further noted that the public’s perception of the Revenue Department must be transformed. “Let our conscience be our guide, and the trust of the public be our greatest asset.”

He concluded his letter with the message that this letter from the head of the department—issued following allegations of bribery against a revenue officer currently undergoing training—has become a subject of much discussion. It serves not merely as a warning against corruption, but as a clear call to prioritize ethics, accountability, and public trust within government service.

Also Read: Odisha Vigilance Nabs Baliapal Sub-Registrar While Taking Bribe

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