Pune: 150 government employees under bribe scanner during lockdown; City ranks top

Pune: A series of challenges surround Maharashtra. The alarming spread of the coronavirus pandemic, the devastating effects of the Nisarg cyclone, the under-preparedness for monsoon and more. Despite the lockdown where most of the government offices were not functional but still a total of 113 cases filed by Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) against 150 people who allegedly demanded bribe were caught.

For the last consecutive six years, the Pune division has maintained consistency in terms of alleged bribe cases. Most of them who have been trapped by ACB are from the Revenue Department, police, forest department and other government employees.

From January till June 9, this year, in Pune Division total 62 cases has been filed, followed by 36 cases registered with Amravati division, Nashik division with 34 cases, Aurangabad and Nagpur with 33 cases each, Nanded 28 cases, Thane with 22 cases, Mumbai with 10 cases in which a total of 253 government officials and staffers has been caught red-handed by ACB.

In March first week first cases of COVID -9 was found in Maharashtra State, and after that, on March 17 onwards lockdown was implemented to break the chain of this Pandemic spread.

In March, 58 cases were registered, in April the number went down to seven, later in May the number increase to 39 and in June (till 9) the number is 18 cases. Earlier in January, the number of anti-draft cases were up to 68, which reached 72 in February. Most of the bribe is in the form of cash or other valuable goods.

The government employees who have been caught red-handed by ACB in the trap is highest from the State Revenue department with 64 people, 53 from the police department, 18 from Panchayat samiti, 16 from Forest Department, 14 from Municipal Corporations and 12 from Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL).

The Anti-corruption Bureau of Maharashtra State has appeal citizens avoid following such malpractice or falling prey to such demands of government employees. For on 1064 HelpLine number of ACB or also on 9930997700 number across Maharashtra State. Or also can log on to this link