Koraput: Bhanumati Tudu, Assistant Engineer (AE), Kundura Block of Koraput district has been apprehended by Odisha Vigilance for demanding and accepting bribe today.
Tudu was held while taking a bribe of Rs 5,000 from a beneficiary for facilitating release of bill towards construction of “Cattle Shed” by him. Cattle shed scheme is a Government of India scheme under MGNREGA meant for the development of cattle resources for SC/ ST/BPL/Poor marginal farmers having cattle.
Maximum Rs 1,13,000 is given to the beneficiaries to build cattle shed. Here, the beneficiary, a poor farmer with 4 cows, was eligible to get the benefit under the above scheme.
After completion of the cattle shed in December 2023, he (beneficiary) had informed the Assistant Engineer to take measurement for release of payment. Despite requests several times by beneficiary, she took measurement three months back. However, she demanded bribe and did not release the bills. Finding no other means, he reported before the Vigilance Authority about his harassment.
Based on the above complaint, a trap was laid on 27.09.2024, wherein the accused Bhanumati Tudu was caught by the team of Odisha Vigilance at Kundura Block office for demanding and accepting undue advantage (bribe) of Rs 5,000 from the beneficiary.
The entire bribe money was recovered from the possession of Tudu and seized in presence of witnesses. Left hand wash of Tudu gave positive chemical reaction, confirming acceptance and handling of bribe money by her.
Following the trap, simultaneous searches have been launched on the residential Govt. quarter at HAL, Sunabeda (in the name of her husband) and parental house at Jayadeb Vihar, Bhubaneswar and her office room.
In this connection, Koraput Vigilance PS Case No.19 dated 26.09.2024 U/s 7 Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, 2018 has been registered and is under investigation.