GHMC workers accuse assistant entomologist of taking bribes, harassment

Hyderabad: Workers of the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) filed a complaint against an official, and accused him of harassing them, demanding bribes, and abusing them.

Four GHMC workers—Nagender, K. Prachakar, R. Suman Kumar, and Jafar Ali—wrote a letter to the GHMC commissioner requesting to take stringent action against B. Bhasker, assistant entomologist, circle No. 17, Khairatabad zone.

In the letter, the workers said Bhasker was harassing all entomology workers working under him and demanding bribes. He was collecting Rs. 2,000 from each unit every month, and if anyone refused to pay up, he imposed penalty on the workers and abused them, they alleged.

Citing examples, the workers said, "Field workers of Work no. EA-7—Pralhad and Shanker—who refused to give the bribe have been deployed as security guard to the Khairtabad zonal office. Meanwhile, P. Suresh Kumar, worker of EA-70, and Pradeep worker of EA-71, who are working as insect collectors, are giving Rs. 1,000 every month to Bhasker. If they had refused to pay, they would also be imposed penalties and deployed elsewhere."

According to the workers, from 9 August 2020, eight members were allotted by Bhasker as part of extra manpower for Covid-19 but only six were deployed. During an inspection by senior entomologist Rajini, Bhasker, a worker named Chandulal was appointed in a hurry. Rs. 20,000 was demanded for his reinstatement. Later, when three workers of Covid manpower, including Chandulal, refused to give Bhasker money, they were deployed to work in a crocodile lake at Banjara Hills.

"With a threat to life because of the crocodiles, the workers did not get into the lake. Bhasker and Covid contractor removed them from duty in September 2022. Since then, they are maintaining four dummy workers and claiming the bills for eight members from the last two years. The contractor is also paying Rs. 9,600 instead of Rs. 13,000 to the Covid workers and sharing the rest of the money with Bhasker," the workers alleged.

In their complaint, the workers enclosed the payment details of the bribes they had paid to Bhasker. The workers demanded his immediate suspension.