Patna: The vigilance department in Bihar has arrested District Fisheries Officer Piyush Ranjan while he was taking a bribe of Rs 1 lakh in his government office in West Champaran. He had allegedly asked for the money in exchange for giving subsidy benefits under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Yojana.
The case came to light after a complaint was filed by Murad Anwar, a resident of Pakhanaha Bazaar in Bairia block. He said the officer demanded 10 percent of the subsidy amount – about Rs 1 lakh – before approving the grant of Rs 10 lakh meant for his mother under the scheme.
Following the complaint, the vigilance department verified the case and then laid a trap. On Monday, the team caught Ranjan red-handed while he was taking the bribe. DSP Pawan Kumar of the vigilance team confirmed that the officer was arrested after the complaint was found true.
The accused officer has been taken to Patna for questioning. The arrest has created a stir in the district and is being seen as part of the vigilance department’s wider campaign against corruption in Bihar.
