HYDERABAD: The Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB), Ranga Reddy Range, conducted a surprise inspection at the Fire Station in LB Nagar, located at Uppal Bhagayat, Uppal, following allegations of corruption and irregularities in the issuance of temporary licences for firecracker shops.
According to an ACB press note dated November 6, officials identified several suspected irregularities during the inspection.
397 Applications Received, 261 Pending
- During the inspection, ACB officials found that nearly 397 applications had been received for temporary firecracker shop licences, of which 261 applications were still pending.
- The prescribed online challan fee for issuing a temporary firecracker shop licence is reportedly ₹500. However, allegations emerged that Fire Station officials were collecting amounts exceeding the prescribed fee.
Around 90 Suspicious UPI Transactions Detected
- ACB officials reportedly noticed around 90 suspicious UPI transactions on the mobile phones of the staff members.
- According to the press note, individual transactions ranged between ₹1,000 and ₹4,500. All the identified transactions reportedly took place during the preceding week.
- The ACB is examining the transactions and investigating the reasons behind the pending applications.
ACB Appeals to the Public
- The Anti Corruption Bureau has appealed to the public not to pay more than the prescribed licence fee of ₹500 through the official online challan system.
- People who face demands for additional money or experience unreasonable delays in processing their applications have been urged to report the matter to the ACB.
- Citizens can contact the ACB toll free helpline 1064 to lodge complaints.
- The ACB has also stated that the identity and details of complainants will be kept confidential.
- The investigation is underway to establish the facts behind the suspected irregularities and alleged collection of excess amounts.
