A Gram Panchayat (GP) secretary and a bill collector in Kolur, Karnataka, were apprehended by the Lokayukta police while accepting a bribe of ₹8,000. The bribe was demanded from a contractor, Nagaraj, for processing bills related to road construction work completed under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).
Nagaraj had completed road work worth ₹2.5 lakh and submitted the bills for payment. However, GP Secretary, Chandrashekhar, and bill collector, Mohan, allegedly insisted on an 8% commission – ₹20,000 – to clear the payments. Nagaraj negotiated the amount down to ₹8,000.
Following this, Nagaraj filed a complaint with the Lokayukta police in Shivamogga. A trap was laid, and the duo were caught red-handed while accepting the bribe money at the GP office. The police recovered the ₹8,000 from Chandrashekhar’s possession.
The Lokayukta team, led by DySP Kumaraswamy, conducted the operation. They seized the bribe amount and other relevant documents. A case has been registered at the Kolur police station under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.
Further investigation is underway to determine if other officials were involved in the bribery scheme. This incident highlights ongoing concerns regarding corruption at the local governance level and the efforts being made by the Lokayukta to address such issues. The arrested officials face potential prosecution and penalties under the anti-corruption laws. The incident underscores the vulnerability of MGNREGA funds to misuse and the importance of vigilance in ensuring transparency and accountability in rural development projects.
