The Uttar Pradesh MLA from Saharanpur decided to take matters into his own hands after power department officials cited cash crunch for not removing two electric poles that had come up in the middle of a road.

During a meeting with officials, a frustrated Rajiv Gumber took everyone by surprise after he took out Rs 50,000 cash from his pocket and asked the poles to be removed.

“If money is needed for public welfare, I will pay. Now get the work done,” a visibly angry Gumber told officials. A video of the incident has gone viral.

The meeting started with the MLA strongly reprimanding the officials for alleged delays in public projects and accusing the department of negligence. He then raised the issue of two electric poles standing in the middle of a road in Raiwala Bazaar, saying it was inconveniencing commuters.

However, the officials cited lack of budget for inaction. It was then that the MLA took out the cash from his pocket and offered it to the officials.

“Essential work of public interest cannot be delayed indefinitely. I am giving the money,” he said.

The senior BJP leader also pulled up the officials over electricity being supplied to the Shakumbhari Vihar area through a rural feeder. He said the area fell under an urban constituency.

“Several years have passed since delimitation, yet urban areas are still being powered through rural lines,” the MLA said.

Gumber also raised several other issues in the meeting, including removal of redundant electric poles in Indira Colony and Tagore Garden on Papermill Road, and immediate repairs of dangling electric wires and a broken 66kV insulator in Amardeep Colony.

He also raised the issue of a transformer not being removed at Tota Chowk despite the allocation of funds. The issue of frequent power cuts at Jain Bagh power substation was also raised in the meeting.

Before signing off, the MLA issued a stern warning to department officials, saying negligence in public welfare work would not be tolerated.

– Ends