Tapi Gram Sevak, private agent caught accepting ₹650 bribe for free government seed scheme

The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has trapped a Gram Sevak and a private individual in Tapi district for allegedly demanding and accepting a bribe from a farmer to provide seeds under a government assistance scheme.

According to the ACB, the complainant had applied through the i-Khedut portal to receive paddy and sorghum seeds under the state's “Nidarshan Kit Sahay Yojana-2026”, a scheme that provides seeds free of cost to farmers.

The accused Gram Sevak, identified as Jivanbhai Gamit (33), posted at Dosvada Seva Kendra and holding additional charge of Tokarva Seva Kendra in Songadh taluka, allegedly demanded ₹650 from the complainant for providing the seeds. The amount included ₹300 for paddy seeds and ₹350 for sorghum seeds.

The Gram Sevak allegedly instructed the complainant to hand over the money to Bajrang Agro Agency in Songadh. Unwilling to pay the bribe, the complainant approached the ACB, which organised a trap.

During the operation conducted on Tuesday, Akshay Keral (30), associated with Bajrang Agro Agency, allegedly engaged in the planned conversation with the complainant and accepted the bribe amount of ₹650 on behalf of the public servant.

Both accused were caught red-handed at a godown of Bajrang Agro Agency located in the Songadh APMC market. The entire bribe amount of ₹650 was recovered by the ACB.

The trap was led by S R Gamit, Police Inspector, Tapi ACB Police Station, under the supervision of R R Chaudhary, Assistant Director, A

CB Surat Unit.