'RTI info nailed ex-collector'

Times of India: Bhubaneswar: Monday, 10 November 2014.

It was for the first time that information obtained under RTI led to the arrest of an IAS officer in the state, campaigners claimed.

Former Balangir collector Debraj Mishra, arrested on Friday for his alleged involvement in a job scam, was remanded in judicial custody after additional district judge court, Balangir, rejected his bail plea on Saturday.

On September 10, the state government had suspended Mishra, who was director (OBC) with ST and SC development department. He was Balangir collector from August 2012 to July 2013.

Mishra's involvement in rigging the recruitment of revenue inspector, assistant revenue officer and amin (land measuring assistant) in Balangir came to light after some aspirants sought answer sheets of the examination under RTI. The examination for 169 posts was held on June 9, 2013. Around 1,400 candidates took the exam.

"When the candidates questioned the evaluation process, the government ordered a probe by revenue divisional commissioner. When they sought RDC probe report using RTI, the government asked the vigilance to look into the matter and simultaneously ordered a Crime Branch probe. All this was possible because the RTI information provided clinching evidence against the former collector," said RTI campaigner Pradip Pradhan.

Balangir-based campaigner Suratha Behera said since the candidates had all information, the two agencies could not hide or tamper with evidence.

Vigilance sources said Mishra was booked for misappropriation, forgery of documents, criminal breach of trust and conspiracy.

"We had taken a lot of pain to obtain information under RTI. We are happy that the main culprit has been arrested. The other officers, who helped him in the wrongdoings, should also be booked. We want the examination to be conducted afresh," said Sudhir Kumar Sandh, a job aspirant.