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Koraput: A video purportedly showing Kotpad Child Development Project Officer (CDPO), Surama Seth taking bribe from anganwadi workers has been doing rounds on various social media platforms since Thursday.
Sources said Seth was collecting Rs 500 bribe from each anganwadi centre under Girla sector for releasing funds for procurement of pre-school kits while she visited to attend a meeting of aganwadi workers of the area recently.
The concerned anganwadi workers have alleged that Seth had taken a total of Rs 13,000 from 26 anganwadi centres in the area. Following the incident, Kotapad anganwadi workers intimated the matter to the District Social Welfare Officer.
“She (CDPO) collected Rs 500 each from all the 26 anganwadi centres of Girla sector for the pre-school kits. We gave the money only after she asked for it,” alleged an anganwadi worker of Girla sector, Sharmistha Nayak.
Another aganwadi worker of Kusumi sector, Niharbasanti said, “We gave Rs 500 each to CDPO and Rs 1000 to the supervisor. I do not know why they charged the money for toys. We are being charged money every year and last year too we paid the amount.”
Although Seth was seen putting the ‘bribe’ money inside her purse, she refuted the allegations.
“I have not taken a penny from anyone. The allegations are nothing but means to harass me. I have been here for the last three years and everything is going smooth. No one has taken any money from anyone,” said the CDPO while pleading her innocence.
Though OTV tried to get in touch with some of the officials of the district administration in this regard, no one was available for comments.
