Woman puts four corrupt govt employees behind bar

Kendrapara (Odisha): Setting a precedent, a 35-year-old woman from a remotest area of Odisha's Kendrapara district has donned the mantle of a whistle blower.

Minati Panda's crusade against corruption, which has got accolades from various quarters, has put four bribe-taking government employees behind the bar.The latest 'catch' of the crusader, who hails from a far-flung hamlet of Kendrapara district, was a sanitary inspector of state health department.

The inspector was trapped by vigilance sleuths on December 2 after he asked for bribe for issuance of death certificate of her father. "Vigilance sleuths arrested Rash Behari Mohanty while accepting chemical-coated currency notes at the predestined place.

Of the four employees arrested for bribery, the latest interception has given me immense satisfaction," she said. Unflinching zeal and determination of Minati to unmask the bribe-takers has won appreciative gesture. As she came forward, four bribe takers were caught while accepting bribes in four separate trap cases in Kendrapara district, said Deputy Superintendent of Police, vigilance, Anant Narayan Mohanty.

"I have taken a pledge to fight against the corruption and bribe-takers. So far, I have succeeded in managing to trap four government employees with vigilance sleuths coming to my aid. My endeavor would continue regardless of hurdles and hindrances that come my way," said Panda, a native of Kalabuda village under Patkura police station.

Panda's crusade against dishonest practices in government offices dates back to April 27, 2010 when she helped vigilance sleuths trapping Integrated Child Development Scheme (IDCS) clerk of Garadpur block.