A case of bribery has surfaced in Bihar, where an ASHA worker demanded a bribe from a woman to obtain a birth certificate for her child. This incident reportedly took place in the Dhanetha village of Magheli Panchayat, located in the Phalka block of the Katihar district. The ASHA worker, identified as Poonam Devi, requested 1200 rupees from the woman for the birth certificate.
The affected woman has been attempting to obtain a birth certificate for her child for the past four years. She stated that ASHA worker Poonam Devi, from ward 15, demanded 1200 rupees, explicitly stating that payments had to be made up the chain for the certificate to be issued.
The woman’s delivery was facilitated by the same ASHA worker, Poonam Devi, four years ago. However, a birth certificate was not obtained at the time. Since then, the woman has been trying to get the certificate, but Poonam Devi has allegedly been demanding money and delaying the process.
This is not the first instance of ASHA workers demanding bribes for birth certificates. Similar cases have been reported previously in Bihar, including one in Chakmathura village, Dhaureya block, Banka district, where ASHA workers were accused of collecting hefty sums for the same purpose.