MUZAFFARPUR: Chief minister Nitish Kumarhas been making cries of war on corruption for quite some time now. The circle officer (CO) and block development officer (BDO) of Muzaffarpur's Katra block apparently didn't take the CM seriously and paid a heavy price for it with Kumar ordering the suspension of COSudheer Ranjan Sharma and transfer of BDOTilakdhari Chaudhary following complaints of graft against them by villagers during the CM's Seva Yatra on Wednesday. 

No sooner did Kumar get down from the chopper than the mob of villagers started shouting slogans against the BDO and CO. A visibly upset CM cancelled his scheduled visit to famous Chamunda Sthan Temple and straightaway went inside the block office to inquire about the complaints. 

Some villagers complained they were denied Indira Awas Yojana benefits because they did not pay 'commission' to the staff concerned. Others said they were not paid wages under MNREGA for the last six months. 

"Aap log yeh kya kar rahein hain?" an angry Kumar asked the officials as he pored over the files and detected instances of pending cases of land mutation. He also found irregularities in payment of MNREGA wages, and the officials fumbled for words when he asked for an explanation. 

Even as the CM inspected the supply section of the block office to probe charges of non-supply of essential articles from PDS shops, the villagers kept shouting slogans against the BDO and CO. 

Later, the CM held a brief discussion with the senior officials and decided to take action against the BDO and the CO. 

"An explanation has been sought from the BDO for further action," Muzaffarpur DM Santosh Kumar Mall told TOI. 

Several villagers also complained to the CM that doctors did not come to the primary health centre (PHC) regularly. Others complained about non-distribution of free medicines by the PHC.

However, state principal secretary (health) Amarjit Sinha, who was accompanying the CM, refuted the allegation. On an average 550 patients are treated at the PHC's outdoor department every month, he said and added 47 types of medicine are available at the PHC. 

The CM also interacted with villagers on the Right to Public Services Act and gave directions to the officials for its better implementation. He saw the Bagmati's main embankment and made an aerial survey of the part of the embankment that falls in Sitamarhi and Sheohar districts. On his return journey to Muzaffarpur by road, he stopped at few places and talked to villagers.

TOI Patna