A concerning case of alleged corruption has emerged in Bihar, involving an ASHA worker who demanded a bribe from a woman in exchange for a birth certificate for her child. The incident took place in Dhanetha village, under the Magheli Panchayat in the Phalka block of the Katihar district. The ASHA worker, Poonam Devi, is said to have asked for 1200 rupees from the woman.
The woman has been trying to obtain a birth certificate for her child for the last four years. The woman says the ASHA worker, Poonam Devi from ward 15, demanded 1200 rupees, explaining that payments had to be made at multiple levels for the certificate to be processed.
It’s worth noting that the woman’s delivery had been handled by the same ASHA worker, Poonam Devi, four years ago. However, the birth certificate was not acquired at that time. The woman has since faced delays and demands for money.
This case is not unique. There have been similar reports in Bihar, including one in Chakmathura village, Dhaureya block, Banka district, where ASHA workers were accused of taking significant amounts of money for birth certificates.