Cyclone Dana: VAW asks bribe from farmers in Bhadrak to facilitate govt assistance for crop loss, video goes viral

A Village Agriculture Worker (VAW) of Bhatapada Gram Panchayat under Chandabali block in Bhadrak district was allegedly found asking for bribe from the farmers for providing them government assistance for damage to their crops inflicted by Cyclone Dana.

The VAW has been identified as Bhagabati Kishan.

The video of the incident in which Kishan was seen asking for bribe from a farmer has gone viral over various social media platforms.

Odisha government has announced to provide Rs 8,500 per hectare to the farmers for the damage inflicted by Cyclone Dana.

However, it was found in the video that, Kishan was asking bribe of Rs 500 per a hectare and Rs 300 per an acre of lands.

The State government has directed the Agriculture Department to conduct a survey about the crop damage and assist the farmers to avail the assistance provided by the government.

However, the VAW openly asking for bribe from the farmers has triggered resentment in the area.

“She was demanding Rs 500 per hectare for collecting the documents from the farmers. When I asked them, she didn’t respond initially. Later, she admitted that Rs 500 was collected per hectare from the farmers and Rs 300 to Rs 400 per hectare was collected from the farmers if they are poor,” said Manas Barik, a farmer who brought the allegation.

“She also said that RI will take some amount and there will be expenditure for online transactions and hence they are taking money from the farmers. When asked about the legality of the matter, she indulged in a war of words and threatened me,” he added.

Read More: Cyclone ‘Dana’: Odisha Govt releases Rs 423 Cr damage compensation

In response to the allegation, Chandbali Agriculture officer Lipsa Rani said that an inquiry over the allegation is currently underway.

“Whatever is seen in the video is unethical. We have formed a committee to launch an inquiry into the incident. Necessary action will be taken after the completion of the inquiry,” said Lipsa Rani.

However, no reactions from the accused Kishan could be obtained.