Child Development Project Officer (CDPO), Sahaspur Block, Manju Kanojiya was caught taking a bribe of Rs5,000 from Anganwadi worker Kavita by vigilance team, Dehradun sector on Thursday.
Kanojiya had demanded Rs15,000 from Kavita, Anaganwadi worker and resident of Kehrigoan, Premnagar for getting her pending salary released. Kavita had made several rounds of the child development project office to get her salary released, but she failed to secure the same from the department concerned.
Irked over this, she lodged a complaint in the office of SP, Vigilance, Dehradun Sector on September 19, stating she was working at Anganwadi centre, Kehrigoan-II under Child Development project, Sahaspur Block. Based on verbal order given by CDPO Kanojiya to chief Anganwadi worker Smita Devi, Devi had inspected the centre on February 11 and February 19, 2014 and recommended departmental action against complainant Kavita after she was found absent in the centre. She was served notice on March 13, 2014 with the direction to submit reply soon, failing which she would be removed from the job. She was, however, suspended.
She had replied the department on March 19. later District Programme Officer inspected the centre and found that the inspection report submitted by senior Anganwadi worker Devi was fabricated.The DPO reinstated her from the same date she was suspended. Following this, her salary worth Rs38,000 from February to August, 2014 was to be released by the department. Rs8,419 was transferred in her bank account on August 7 by the department concerned and the remainder of the sum was due.
District Project Officer had directed CDPO Kanojiya on September 8 to release her pending salary without delay.Kanojiya had demanded bribe of Rs 15, 000 for the release of the remainder of the payment. When Kavita requested her to release the pending salary, Kanojiya asked her to cough up Rs5, 000 then and Rs10,000 later. Kanojiya told the complainant to reach the office with Rs5,000 on September 25.
Taking cognisance of the complaint, SP Vigilance, VKS Karki formed the teams headed by inspector lakshman Singh Bisht to verify the fact. It was found correct. After seeking permission from the State Government, inspector Bisht was asked to trap the accused. CDPO, Sahaspur Block, Manju Kanojiya was caught taking a bribe of Rs 5, 000 from the Anganwadi worker Kavita by vigilance team, Dehradun at 11.50 am on Thursday, it is learnt.