Goa vigilance department today arrested a senior state government officer after catching him red handed while accepting a bribe to clear the bills of animal feed supplied to various government run farms by a contractor.

P K Patidar, registrar of cooperative societies who also holds additional charge as director animal husbandry and veterinary services, was trapped by anti corruption branch (ACB) of Vigilance department.

"Patidar was caught while accepting a bribe of Rs 15,000 in his office. He had sought 10 per cent of total Rs 23 lakh which was billed to animal husbandry department after supplying animal feed," police inspector Nilesh Rane told reporters here.

ACB sleuths raided Patidar's office in Patto here at 5.15 pm and searched the place for nearly five hours.

Police said that the contractor had supplied animal feed to government owned Dhat and Copordem farms.

The contractor had earlier lodged complaint with ACB against Patidar for seeking bribe to clear his bills.

Patidar, a senior government officer, was posted as assistant election commissioner during the 2007 State Legislative Assembly elections.