The Times of India:Thursday, February 09, 2012.
PATNA: Though battered and bruised, and crying in pain and anguish, Dhananjay Kumar Jha, a whistle-blower of Vaishali district, remains undaunted. In fact, the murderous attack on him last month has strengthened his resolve to expose the misdeeds of officials and public representatives relating to alleged embezzlement of funds meant for public welfare works.
Jha, also an RTI activist, has already exposed many scams in different schemes at panchayat level. On his complaint, the mukhiya of Goraul-Bhagwanpur, Shiv Shankar Rai, was not only jailed, but also ousted from the post and debarred from contesting elections. He claims to have highlighted embezzlement of funds in schemes like sinking of hand pumps, installation of solar lights and implementation of MNREGA, which was admitted even by officials.
As a result, for people involved in corruption, he became a thorn in the flesh. Last month, a murderous assault was made on him and the assailants also beat up his octogenarian father Bajrang Jha and damaged his eye. "The attack was made by PDS dealer Parasnath and his relatives. The dealer indulges in illegal practices like hoarding and black marketing of essential commodities through fake coupons in connivance with a senior local official," Jha alleged in his FIR lodged with Goraul police station on January 14.
The 30-year-old whistle-blower now claims to be facing threats of abduction of his minor children and his other family members too are not venturing out due to threat to their lives. "My children have stopped going to school," he said. My complaints regarding hoarding and black marketing of PDS items didn't bear fruit due to involvement of some local officials, he alleges.
He, finally, took up his case to the State Information Commission (SIC). On Wednesday, while hearing his case, information commissioner Farzand Ahmed issued directive to the Vaishali DM to get the allegations against the PDS dealer probed and ensure security of the whistle-blower. The SIC also ordered the Goraul BDO, who was present during the hearing and admitted black marketing of kerosene and other essential commodities by the PDS dealer, to coordinate with the local police and arrange for the security of Jha's family.
Jha, also an RTI activist, has already exposed many scams in different schemes at panchayat level. On his complaint, the mukhiya of Goraul-Bhagwanpur, Shiv Shankar Rai, was not only jailed, but also ousted from the post and debarred from contesting elections. He claims to have highlighted embezzlement of funds in schemes like sinking of hand pumps, installation of solar lights and implementation of MNREGA, which was admitted even by officials.
As a result, for people involved in corruption, he became a thorn in the flesh. Last month, a murderous assault was made on him and the assailants also beat up his octogenarian father Bajrang Jha and damaged his eye. "The attack was made by PDS dealer Parasnath and his relatives. The dealer indulges in illegal practices like hoarding and black marketing of essential commodities through fake coupons in connivance with a senior local official," Jha alleged in his FIR lodged with Goraul police station on January 14.
The 30-year-old whistle-blower now claims to be facing threats of abduction of his minor children and his other family members too are not venturing out due to threat to their lives. "My children have stopped going to school," he said. My complaints regarding hoarding and black marketing of PDS items didn't bear fruit due to involvement of some local officials, he alleges.
He, finally, took up his case to the State Information Commission (SIC). On Wednesday, while hearing his case, information commissioner Farzand Ahmed issued directive to the Vaishali DM to get the allegations against the PDS dealer probed and ensure security of the whistle-blower. The SIC also ordered the Goraul BDO, who was present during the hearing and admitted black marketing of kerosene and other essential commodities by the PDS dealer, to coordinate with the local police and arrange for the security of Jha's family.
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