Arrested IAS officer lands in Utkal University job scam

BHUBANESWAR: Senior IAS officer and former Collector of Bolangir district Debraj Mishra, who is currently lodged in jail in connection with a recruitment scam, has landed in another trouble for his alleged role in the regularisation of some teaching staff in Utkal University.

The union government has sought a report from Odisha government about Mishra’s role in the regularisation of teaching staff in Utkal University.

Now, the Odisha General Administration (GA) department has sought clarification from the Higher Education Department over the matter which had taken place in 2009.

In 2009, Mishra, during his tenure as deputy secretary to Governor, had allegedly misused his power and recommended the then vice-chancellor of Utkal University to regularise jobs of 16 consolidated teachers.

Earlier, the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions had asked the Odisha government seeking to reply on the issue.

In November 2014, the IAS officer, lodged in Bolangir jail, was arrested by a joint team of vigilance officials from Sambalpur and Bhubaneswar divisions in connection with the gross irregularities in the appointment of revenue inspectors (RIs) and Amins during his tenure as Collector of Bolangir district during 2012-13.