A 2022-batch IAS officer has lodged a police complaint against MLA of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Saroj Kumar Padhi, accusing him of abusing, threatening and intimidating him during a dispute over flood relief distribution in Odisha’s Ganjam district on Thursday, and has sought police protection.
The complaint comes amid growing resentment among government officials in Ganjam over the alleged mistreatment of the senior officer, who had been engaged in relief, restoration and rehabilitation work during Cyclone Arnab and the subsequent floods. He expressed confidence that the matter would be resolved amicably, adding that Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi was monitoring the situation.
The district collector said government officials must remain committed to their responsibilities in difficult circumstances and that the matter would be brought to the state government’s attention. State Fisheries and Animal Resources Development Minister Gokulananda Mallik termed the incident unfortunate and said the Aska MLA was remorseful. Officials belonging to the Odisha Administrative Service (OAS) and other government cadres rallied behind Jena on Thursday, condemning the alleged incident.
Responding to the allegations, Padhi claimed that the differences between him and Jena had been resolved through mutual discussions. BJP MLA Saroj Padhi allegedly entered the room and picked an argument over the distribution of relief materials. When Jena informed him that the relief materials had been distributed as per the instructions of steel and mines minister Bibhuti Bhushan Jena, the MLA allegedly abused him and threatened to kill him, the officer claimed. I am the minister in Aska. Nothing happens here without my consent. What do you think of yourself? ’,” the officer wrote in his FIR.
The incident occurred around 7 pm, when Samir Kumar Jena was discussing official matters with the NAC chairperson in the NAC Executive Officer’s chamber, according to the complaint. Since last 4-5 days, I am watching your drama.
Describing the episode as a misunderstanding, he said the matter had been settled amicably. “The MLA shouted at me and said, ‘What minister are you talking about?
