Officials are collecting bribes, say ZP members

The Zilla Parishad (ZP) meeting held here on Wednesday witnessed heated arguments with members pointing fingers at officers holding them responsible for ganja being smuggled and sold in the district.

The Zilla Parishad (ZP) meeting held here on Wednesday witnessed heated arguments with members pointing fingers at officers holding them responsible for ganja being smuggled and sold in the district. They also came down heavily on the officials alleging that they were collecting bribes to clear the audit report. They also stated that district panchayat department officials were collecting bribe in real estate ventures and turning a blind eye on illegal constructions. The ZP meeting was held here on Wednesday presided over by chairperson P. Manjushree and attended by Legislative Council pro-tem speaker V. Bhoopal Reddy, MLAs M. Bhupal Reddy, P. Manick Rao, and Collector M. Hanumantha Rao among others. Soon after the meeting was commenced, members raised the issue of ganja being smuggled from the district and lack of action by prohibition and excise officials. They alleged that some officials were extending tacit support to smugglers and demanded that strict action be taken against those smuggling ganja.