KOTTAYAM: The Panchayat Assistant Engineer asked for a bribe and liquor to issue a building permit. When the engineer was caught by the vigilance, the panchayat authorities were enraged. The panchayat asked for random documents to issue the permit. The problem was finally solved when the panchayat conceded defeat in front of the expatriate who was lying in the middle of the road in the scorching sun.

Expatriate businessman Shaji George, who staged a protest in front of the Manjoor Panchayath to fight against the non-assignment of a number to the hotel-cum-sports village building (Bisa Club House), has finally got justice. Shajimon's establishment was started in Manjoor town at a cost of Rs.25 crores. There are 90 employees.

Manjoor is a panchayat ruled by CPM. The government was embarrassed as the media and opposition parties took over the strike that started yesterday morning. Following that, there was intervention from above and a discussion led by Panchayat Deputy Director. It was agreed that the building number can be given if three of the six documents requested by the panchayat were produced. Following this, Shaji ended his five-hour strike.

The dharna started yesterday at 11 am in the panchayat office. As the incident became controversial, many people came in support of Shaji. The police moved Shaji out of the office on the charge of creating a roadblock for those reaching the panchayat. With this, Shaji lay in the middle of the road in the sun. Mons Joseph MLA and Congress and BJP workers came to meet Shaji.

Rs 20,000 and foreign liquor was demanded

Last January, the assistant engineer of Manjoor panchayat demanded Rs 20,000 and foreign liquor as a bribe to issue the permit. Shajimon made the vigilance arrest this engineer and later, he got the permit. The operation was started with permission for three years under the Kerala Micro Small Medium Enterprises Facilitation Act. Ministers V.N. Vasavan and Roshi Augustin were the ones who inaugurated it.

What the panchayat demanded first

1. The NOC of the Railways as the railway line passes through
2. Special permit for future construction works
3. Permission letter from Public Works Department
4. Certified building plan for structural stability
5. Final approval of Fire and Rescue Department
6. Permission letter from Pollution Control Board

To be submitted as agreed

1. Building plan for structural stability
2. Final approval of Fire and Rescue Department
3. Permission letter of Pollution Control Board

I protested when there was no action despite contacting the minister's office

- Shajimon George, expatriate entrepreneur

It has been decided to give the building number as soon as the certificates are produced

- Binu John, Panchayat Deputy Director