Pension Bribe Charges: Two Handloom Officials Suspended
District officer Ramana Reddy and assistant district officer Seena Naik were accused of demanding money: Reports
VIJAYAWADA: Handlooms and textiles minister S. Savita on Saturday ordered the suspension of two officials from Sri Sathya Sai district following complaints that they were allegedly demanding bribes from weavers during scrutiny of pension applications.
District officer Ramana Reddy and assistant district officer Seena Naik were accused of demanding money from applicants seeking benefits under the NTR Bharosa pension scheme. Following the minister’s directive, Commissioner G. Rekharani issued suspension orders against the two officials.
Addressing a video conference, Savita warned department staff against malpractice and said no weaver should be asked to pay money for pension benefits.
She said the scheme provides financial security to eligible weavers aged 50 and above and that 16,521 applications had been received across the state. Officials are conducting door-to-door verification, while more than 84,000 weavers are currently receiving pensions.
Savita said the government would take strict action against anyone found indulging in malpractice.