Vigilance scanner

Cuttack: The Vigilance Directorate, in a bid to stop corrupt practices at grassroots level, especially in rural housing schemes, issued on Saturday a toll free number to receive complaints. It also said the public could inform the office via social media, if any public servant demanded bribes from them. While issuing the number, 1064, setting up a Twitter account, twitter.com/odisha.vigilance, and Facebook page, facebook.com/odisha.vigilance, the directorate said all blocks and gram panchayats were under the its scanner and a special drive had been launched to detect and prevent unlawful practices in rural housing schemes.

Pappu charge

Bhubaneswar: Odia actor Pappu Pom Pom, alias Tatwa Prakash Satapathy, was charged under the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (Pocso) in connection with the casting couch case involving a minor girl. According to sources, on Saturday Pappu appeared before the Pocso court, which framed the charges against him under sections 341, 323 and 354 of the IPC and sections 8 and 12 of the Pocso Act.

CHSE raid

Bhubaneswar: Vigilance sleuths on Saturday conducted raids at the residence of Surya Narayan Mahanty, working as a strong-room in-charge at the Council of Higher Secondary Education, Bhubaneswar. According to sources, the anti-corruption wing conducted simultaneous searches at six places, including his residence, and two other houses in Bhubaneswar.

Niti meet

Bhubaneswar: A Niti Aayog delegation, led by its chief executive officer Amitabh Kant, called on chief minister Naveen Patnaik at the secretariat on Saturday. At the meeting, Kant assured Naveen that they would extend all help to connect the Dhamara and Paradip ports. It will also help the state in developing the coastal economic zone.

Minor raped

Malkangiri: A Class-VI student of a residential school at Potrel within Kalimela police limits in Malkangiri was impregnated after allegedly being raped by the school cook a few months ago. The accused, identified
as Parsuram Padiami, was arrested following a complaint lodged by the school authorities. Police also conducted medical examination of the girl and the accused.  

Incentives

Bhubaneswar: Chief minister Naveen Patnaik on Saturday handed over Rs 3 lakh each to Odia athletes Amiya Mallick, Jauna Murmu, Shrabani Nanda and Dutee Chand as incentives to perform well in the upcoming Asian Athletics Championship. Naveen handed over the cash while visiting Kalinga Stadium to see the overall preparation for the meet.