Madras High Court. File | Photo credit: K. pichumani
The Madras High Court on Monday (Dec 16, 2024) questioned the Tamil Nadu government as to why it was being “too slow” to take action against government employees on charges of corruption and misappropriation even as there were huge complaints of lack of basic services. People are provided without “greasing the hands”.
Justice SM Subramaniam and M. A division bench in Jothiraman directed the Home Secretary to submit the state government’s stand on complaints of corruption in government departments including uniformed services across Tamil Nadu by January 6, 2025. .
The bench also wanted to know whether the government is effectively controlling the uniformed personnel in the state, whether the government has started strict monitoring and action against the negligence, negligence of duty and abuse of authority by the officers of the police and prison department.
“It is sad that the poor people have to pay thousands of rupees in bribes even to get documents such as people’s certificates and leases. Why should the poor suffer when government employees get their salaries and allowances on time? Justice Subramaniam asked.
Although immediate action has been initiated against political opponents under the Prevention of Corruption Act, there seems to be no interest in taking action against bureaucrats and other civil servants who cheat people’s money, said a senior judge of the division bench.
This comment was made during the hearing of a writ petition filed by some prisoners complaining that they have not received their wages for months. Petitioner’s lawyer M. Radhakrishnan and P. Pugalenthi highlighted in the court that many corrupt practices were allegedly taking place in the prisons department.
The advocates presented the Accountant General’s 2022 report which showed unnecessary expenditure of ₹5.57 crore by the prisons department on procurement of raw materials for goods made by the prisoners and also on payment of wages to them.
Responding to this, Additional Public Prosecutor R Muniyapparaj told the court that the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) had filed a First Information Report (FIR) on December 12, 2024, about the misappropriation of Rs 1.63 crore by Madurai Central. Prison authorities between 2019 and 2021.
APP told the court that the then jail superintendent M. Urmila (presently serving in Cuddalore), Jailer S. Vasanthakannan (now serving as Additional Superintendent at Palayamkottai), Administrative Officer M. An FIR was registered against Thiagarajan (now serving). Vellore), and eight others.
The prison officials are accused of conspiring with some businessmen and embezzling funds by claiming that they got raw materials for weaving bandages, making office covers, etc. from the prisoners. was supplied.
When Justice Subramaniam sought to know why the DVAC took two years to register the FIR, the APP said, the stationery made by the inmates was allegedly the reason for the initial inquiry after seeking information from various government departments. supplied.
“You have written to 56 departments and 30 of them have responded. Will it take two years to get a response from a government agency? Is this how DVAC investigates all cases of corruption involving public funds? What about the right to search and seize property?” the judge asked back.
Expressing displeasure over the delay in investigating the case of misappropriation of public funds by government employees, the division bench said it expected the home secretary to investigate the matter and answer the questions raised by the court.
published – Dec 16, 2024 at 02:21 pm IST