| Panch alleges VLW for taking bribe from him | | Poonch ACR assures inquiry, legal action if found guilty | | M S Nazki
Early Times Report
MENDHAR, Apr 21: A panch of ward No 6 of Harni, Mendhar, protested in the main market here today, alleging that a village level worker (VLW) had taken a bribe from him to release a cheque of Rs 32,000.
While he protested, he was soon joined by his supporters. Panch Mohammad Zamir said he had carried out Rs 32,000 worth construction work at government middle school, Harni, under the flood restoration scheme.
Though the construction was carried out by him, the work order was issued in the name of VLW Haq Nawaz Khan. Because of this reason, the cheque of Rs 32,000 was also made in his name, the panch said.
He alleged that whenever he approached the VLW, he demanded a bribe of Rs 6,000 from him. The deal was ultimately settled at Rs 4,000, he alleged.
Zamir alleged that he today paid Rs 4,000 to the VLW in a Maruti car in the town in the presence of some independent witnesses. MGNREGA gram sevaks of Harni and Harmuth were also with the VLW when he allegedly gave him eight notes of Rs 500 denomination, he claimed.
Soon thereafter, the panch and his supporters protested and raised slogans against the alleged commission culture in Mendhar panchayat office. Later, he filed a written complaint against the VLW with Mendhar tehsildar Mohammad Rafiq Mughal who had kept it for investigation.
Poonch ACR Shafiq Ahmad, who is holding the additional charge of SDM, Mendhar, inquiry would be held into the alleged incident and if the VLW was found involved, a legal action would be taken against him. "He will not be spared," he asserted.
ACD, Poonch, did not pick up the phone despite repeated calls made to him.
Locals have demanded the VLW's suspension, alleging that the Mendhar panchayat department had become a hub of corruption.
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