Assam: Dhubri block office employee accused of taking bribe to process old-age pension benefits

A junior assistant posted at the Athani Block Development Office in Bilasipara in Assam’s Dhubri district has come under scrutiny following allegations that he openly collected bribes from people seeking old-age pension benefits.

A video purportedly showing the official accepting money from a person has surfaced on social media and gone viral, prompting demands for action against him.

The employee, identified as Abdul Hakim Chowdhury, has been accused of collecting money from beneficiaries in the name of processing old-age pension applications and benefits. The allegations have triggered concern among local residents and raised questions over the functioning of the development block office.

Following the circulation of the video, the Dhubri district unit of the Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS) demanded the immediate dismissal and arrest of Chowdhury.

The organisation alleged that such practices were causing hardship to people seeking government welfare benefits and called for action against the official.

The KMSS has also warned of protests if authorities fail to initiate action. It said its members would gherao the Block Development Officer’s office and stage demonstrations over the matter.

The allegations are yet to be independently verified. It was not immediately clear whether the concerned authorities had initiated an inquiry into the video or the allegations against the junior assistant.