Berhampur (Odisha), April 8 The Odisha Vigilance Department arrested five employees of a community health center (CHC) on Wednesday for allegedly misappropriating over Rs 2 crore in government funds between 2023 and 2025, officials said.
The accused, who were working at the Kodala CHC in the Ganjam district, allegedly prepared fraudulent salary bills in the names of hospital employees to siphon off funds, a vigilance officer said.
He said a case has been registered against all the accused, including three women, at the Berhampur vigilance police station, following allegations that the staff of the CHC in Kodala falsified records to draw unauthorized salary bills between 2023 and 2025.
"Five arrests have been made so far. Vigilance officials are currently investigating the matter to determine the full extent of the syndicate and identify the involvement of any other officials," a statement from the vigilance department said.
On March 31, the chief district medical and public health officer (CDM& PHC) of Ganjam, Bhabani Shankar Mishra, had suspended seven employees of the CHC, including these five arrested persons, for misappropriating government funds.
One of the suspended employees, identified as Debendra Nath Gouda, has already died, officials said.
