Women SHG members stage dharna alleging misbehaviour and corruption by BDO

The members of a Women Self Help Group (SHG) locked the block office at Bolagarh in Khordha and staged a dharna alleging misbehaviour by the Block Development Officer (BDO), Dhobei Nayak.

The women members alleged that Nayak not only misbehaved with them but also demands bribes. Apart from that, Nayak allegedly sought sexual favours from the women members of the SHG.

Speaking to the reporters, Bolagarh Regional SHG Association’s President, Sailabala Bahinipati said, “We had come to the BDO to submit our papers. But he misbehaved with us and threw us out of his office without entertaining us.”

“The major reason why he did so was ‘Commission’. He regularly demands a percentage (PC) in every work order that he gives to the SHGs. This time too he was expecting a hefty PC which is why he misbehaved with us. This BDO has been posted in Bolagarh for a long time. We want him transferred from here,” she added.

“He (Nayak) wanted sexual favours from us. He always wants members of the SHG to meet him alone in his chamber. He used to scream at us whenever we went there in groups. In fact, I am a victim of his bad touch too,” alleged the Secretary of the SHG, Gitanjali Mohanty.

“Initially we thought to keep this thing about Nayak between us and just wait for his transfer. But his misbehaviour has crossed the limit and we cannot bear his sexual advances anymore,” Mohanty added.

Asked about the allegations, Nayak said, “I have never misbehaved anybody. I was in a meeting with the Project Director when they entered my office with files. How can I sign it during a meeting. The allegations are baseless.”