AAP's Sangrur MP Bhagwant Mann (far right) helped farmers get back the bribe amount they had paid to Punjab sales tax officials. AAP's Sangrur MP Bhagwant Mann (far right) helped farmers get back the bribe amount they had paid to Punjab sales tax officials.

Comedian-turned-politician and Aam Aadmi Party's (AAP) Sangrur MP Bhagwant Mann is at the forefront of the anti-corruption crusade in Punjab. Mann, who is known for his connect with the people in his constituency, has proved it by winning the Lok Sabha elections.

Mann once again reiterated his zero tolerance policy towards corruption by helping farmers in his constituency get back bribe money that they had paid to a few Punjab sales tax officials.

On Sunday, the AAP leader surprised the farmers in Jhaner village, which is close to Malerkotla town, by returning the amount - Rs 20,000 - that they had paid to the tax officials.

"Three villagers had complained that they were forced to pay an amount of Rs 20,000 to some sales tax officials. I approached the top sales tax authorities, who then asked the officials to return the money. I don't know what action has been taken against the corrupt officials," Mann said.

Mann told MAIL TODAY that Labh Singh , Kuldeep Singh and Jang Singh, who were carrying oil cake (cattle feed), were recently stopped by a few sales tax officials at Jakhal barrier on the Haryana border. The sales tax that the farmers were supposed to pay for the oil cake was just Rs 3,300, but the officials asked them to pay around Rs 46,000 as the bribe amount.

Villagers were also threatened that a criminal case would be registered against them, if they didn't pay the amount.

"As the villagers were short of money, the sales tax officials let them go after they agreed to pay Rs 20,000. The officials were paid Rs 14,000 on the spot and one official followed them up to their village to get the remaining Rs 6,000. This is how poor people are being exploited by the corrupt Punjab officials," said Mann who defeated Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) veteran Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa by 2,11,721 votes.

