In Gadwal, a major anti-corruption effort led by the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) saw the arrest of Srikant Naidu, a Deputy Engineer in the Irrigation Department. On Wednesday, officials caught him allegedly taking a bribe of ₹11,000 from a contractor.
ACB reports indicated that Naidu sought the bribe to enter measurements into the Measurement Book (M-Book), a crucial document for processing civil works bills. The contractor, unwilling to pay, filed a complaint with the ACB.
After checking the complaint, ACB officials set a trap and caught Naidu in the act of accepting the money. They followed legal procedures and seized the cash as evidence. The case is now registered under the Prevention of Corruption Act.
“Corruption delays public projects and pressures honest contractors,” an ACB representative stated. “We aim to clean up the system.”
This arrest is part of a larger crackdown on corruption initiated by the state government under Chief Minister Revanth Reddy. The government has empowered the ACB to tackle corruption in vital sectors like Irrigation, Panchayati Raj, and Roads & Buildings.
Officials who have stayed too long in one place are being transferred, and strict warnings against unethical behavior have been issued to all departments.
Local contractors and residents are pleased with the ACB’s quick action. Many say bribes have become a “routine hurdle” in government contracts and hope this case sets a strong example.
“Every rupee in bribes burdens honest workers. We appreciate the ACB’s action,” a contractor said anonymously.
The M-Book is a crucial document recording work volume and quality in government projects. Without these entries, contractors face delays in billing and payments, leading some officials to demand bribes.
The ACB has launched a full investigation to see if Naidu has committed similar offenses before. His past files, finances, and contractor connections will be closely examined.
The arrest of DE Srikant Naidu highlights the government’s dedication to fighting corruption at the grassroots level. With public backing and persistent efforts by agencies like the ACB, administrative accountability is expected to improve significantly.
