Khamano BDPO office working under a cloud

Gurminder Singh Grewal

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Khamano, September 4

Working at the office of BDPO, Khamano, has come under a cloud after the recovery of objectionable material and allegations of bribe levelled by a member of the Block Samiti. However, the BDPO, Kulwinder Singh Randhawa, has refuted the allegations.

Following complaints against the BDPO, Chairman of Zila Parishad Baljeet Singh Bhutta today visited the office of BDPO along with his team. They allegedly found contraceptives from the back of the office. Lakhvir Singh Lakhi, a member the Block Samiti, who was present there, levelled allegations of bribe against the BDPO.

A few days ago, a woman employee had made a complaint in writing to Chairperson of Block Samiti Kulwinder Kaur, in which she had accused the BDPO of sexual harassment. The matter was discussed at a meeting of the Block Samiti. The Block Development and Panchayat Officer (BDPO) had allegedly regretted his behavior. He had assured the meeting that he would behave in the future. 

A packet of contraceptives and bottles of soda  were found at the back of the BDPO office today,  which raised the eyebrows of those present there. Lakhi, who was present there, alleged that the Block Development and Panchayat Officer had taken a bribe of  Rs 25,000 for the allocation of Rs 10-lakh grant to a stadium in his village. However, the Block Development and Panchayat Officer neither allocated the grant for the stadium nor returned money to him, alleged Lakhi. 

Meanwhile, Bhutta confirmed the objectionable material was recovered from the back of the Block Development and Panchayat  office in his presence. He said he had asked the Chairperson of Khamano to visit his office and he would send his report to the Minister, the Director and other officials concerned in this regard after a proper inquiry.