A youth of the Nirakarpur area’s Patanasahi in the district allegedly ended his life on Wednesday after failing to get benefits under the rural housing scheme Indira Awas Yojana (IAY) due to corruption and bribery at the block-level.
The deceased was identified as Laxmidhar Behera.
However, Laxmidhar had shot a video narrating his woes just before he took the extreme step and the video has now gone viral on social media.
In the video, Laxmidhar has alleged that block employees demanded bribe of Rs 15,000 to Rs 20,000 for sanctioning a pucca house under the Indira Awas Yojana.
“From BDO to sarpanch and even ruling-BJD leaders, I had approached everybody. But nobody listened to me. The officials asked me to pay Rs 15,000 to Rs 20,000. From where I can arrange the money as I work as labourer. Many may have got benefits from Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and BJD, but I have not got any help,” Laxmidhar is seen saying in the video.
Sources said Laxmidhar’s body was recovered near the Gahiradia Canal; and it was suspected that he committed suicide.
Khordha district Collector Nirmal Mishra said the entire incident would be investigated. “We would look into the matter. But preliminary investigations reveal that a house was sanctioned to the beneficiary. Had there been allegations of bribery, we would have definitely taken action,” said Mishra.
He further said a detailed probe would be initiated to ascertain who demanded bribe from the youth.
Meanwhile, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan alleged that Laxmidhar’s death was sponsored by the State Government as he committed suicide after failing to pay bribe to get a house under the IAY.
“It is very shocking that a precious life was lost for bribe. It is a real picture of the PC practice in Odisha. It is not a case of suicide; rather it is a Government-sponsored murder,” Pradhan posted in social media after meeting Laxmidhar’s family members at his village.