Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (NM)

Mangalore, Jun 27: As part of their routine inspection and as per a complaint, the Lokayukta inspected the money transactions and documents at the office of the district excise department and office of the joint commissioner at Mary Hill here on Wednesday, June 27.

Speaking to Daijiworld, SP Jagamayyanavar said, "We had received a complaint from unconfirmed sources that the officials have been demanding bribes for renewing trade (bar and wine shops) licences for the next year. Acting on a tip off, we carried out a sudden raid on the department, however, we could not find any loophole in the transactions."

There were as many as 431 licences in the district to be renewed by the end of July 30. Of them, 25 were pending, 202 were already disposed and 204 were yet to be applied for. To renew the licences, the offices of deputy and revenue commissioner had to give their approvals. As June 30 is the last date to renew the licences, it was alleged that money was demanded to complete the procedure. However, the allegdation turned out to be false.

The DC of the excise department said, "We have maintained the cash declaration book and the documents in a transparent manner. There were nothing amiss in the offices of the department."

Lokayukta inspectors Udaya Nayak, Dilip Kumar, Thimmayyappa, Dinesh Kumar and others were part of the raid.