‘₹20,000 for a well’: ‘Rate card’ of alleged bribes discussed at Maharashtra Gram Sabha

Latur: A video purportedly showing a village meeting in Maharashtra’s Latur district where a sarpanch and others discussed an alleged “rate card” for bribes to obtain benefits under government schemes has gone viral on social media.

The incident was reportedly recorded during a gram sabha at Atola village in Chakur tehsil on August 17. Following the video's circulation, authorities have sought a written explanation from the sarpanch and asked him to provide evidence supporting his allegations.

During the meeting, villagers questioned why they were allegedly being asked to pay money while seeking benefits under various government schemes. The sarpanch purportedly claimed that Panchayat Samiti members and officials were demanding bribes for approving applications.

According to the allegations made during the meeting, beneficiaries were required to pay Rs 20,000 for approval of a well under the employment guarantee scheme. An alleged Rs 7,000 bribe was also being charged for approval of a cattle shed, while fixed amounts were reportedly sought for housing and other government schemes.

The sarpanch further claimed that at the Panchayat Samiti level, Rs 20,000 was allegedly demanded for a well, of which Rs 5,000 could be adjusted against house tax and water tax dues. This would leave beneficiaries allegedly paying Rs 15,000 to Panchayat Samiti employees.

In the video, the sarpanch was also heard saying on a microphone that the gram sabha proceedings should be recorded and made public so that "the whole world comes to know".

Santaji Mane, Block Development Officer of Chakur Panchayat Samiti, said authorities had sought a written explanation from the sarpanch.

"I have sought a written explanation from the sarpanch and asked him to submit evidence within three days or explain whom they paid money and when," Mane told PTI.

He said action would follow if the allegations were established.

"If the allegations are found to be true, action will be taken against those responsible. I have also appealed to citizens not to pay money for any work at the Panchayat Samiti. If anyone demands money, they should directly complain to me or the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB)," he said.

Authorities have not yet established whether the allegations made during the gram sabha are true. The sarpanch has been given three days to provide evidence or clarify his claims.