Mangalore: The Lokayukta sleuths caught a government officer red–handed while he was collecting bribe of Rs 10,000 from an unemployed person, who approached the officer to facilitate the government grant. The incident took place here in the city on Thursday, September 11.

The government servant is identified as U. Jeethendranath, assistant director, department of tourism.

An unemployed youth from Puttur, who requested anonymity, said that he applied for government’s grant of Rs two lakh – which is meant for the deserving unemployed youth – belonging to scheduled castes/scheduled tribe and minorities for buy taxi vehicle.

The grant is intended to encourage self-entrepreneurship among the youth between the age of 20 – 45. It is sanctioned by the district administration and tourism department of Dakshina Kannada as subsidy.

Hence, the whistle-blower had applied for the same. The person, who applied for the grant named U. Jeethendranath, assistant director as corrupt. He demanded Rs 15,000 in return for granting the subsidy. I refused to give. He then asked Rs 10,000. I had no money. My friends asked me to pay somehow, as I would receive Rs twolakh later. But, I did not. I informed the lokayukta. And, they were co-operative”, he said.

It is said that every year as many as 60 persons are eligible to get this grant. Besides, the whistle-blower also said that people who applied along with me paid the officer, while he did not.