India, Sept. 8 -- The Odisha Vigilance on Tuesday arrested three Panchayat-level officials in Baleshwar district for allegedly misappropriating Rs 16.76 lakh meant for old-age pension beneficiaries under social security schemes.

The accused have been identified as Subrat Kumar Pati, former Panchayat Executive Officer (PEO) of Kakhara Gram Panchayat and currently posted at Kusuda GP; Chittaranjan Bagsing, former PEO of Kumbharmuli GP and currently posted in Khaira Block; and Goutam Dalai, Accountant-cum-Data Entry Operator at Jaleswarpur GP under Bhogarai Block.

According to the Vigilance, the alleged financial irregularities took place between 2022 and 2025. During this period, the accused officials were responsible for withdrawing adv...