Mangaluru: Lokayukta arrested Bharatamma, the deputy director of the agricultural department, for allegedly soliciting a bribe of Rs one lac in exchange for approving a Rs 50 lac bill related to the supply and planting of horticultural plants.

Under the Pradhanmantri Krishi Sinchayi WDC 2.0 scheme, which falls under the agricultural department, Paramesh N P, a former zonal forest officer, distributed plants worth Rs 50 lac to various villages in 2022-23 and 2023-24. However, he left Rs 18 lac pending to the supplying nurseries and Rs 32 lac to the forest contractor responsible for planting the saplings. Paramesh retired in August 2023.

Pressured by the forest contractors to clear their pending bills, Paramesh met with Bharatamma on October 4 to seek approval for the outstanding payment. Allegedly, Bharatamma initially demanded 15% of the bill as a bribe, but later reduced it to Rs one lac when contacted again.

Following Paramesh's report, the Lokayukta conducted a raid on October 21 while Bharatamma was accepting the cash in her office. 

She was arrested and produce her in court.