Tamil Nadu - Coimbatore   

DVAC raids `corruption-prone' departments

V.S. Palaniappan

Drive following complaints of fleecing in the name of Deepavali

Coimbatore: Following complaints about the public being fleeced by officials in some Government offices in the name of "inam" (bribe) citing Deepavali as a reason, the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) conducted raids in "corruption-prone" departments.

Officials from the DVAC, West Zone, led by Deputy Superintendent of Police, S. Girimurugan brought some of these departments under the scanner. Raids were conducted on the Directorate/Inspectorate of Drug Control, Commercial Tax Office, Transport and Registration Departments.

Unaccounted cash

On Wednesday, personnel from the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Department raided the offices of the Sub-Registrars at Pollachi, Udumalpet and Avanashi and seized unaccounted cash from the officials and document writers. The teams seized about Rs. 67,000 from the three offices and the highest amount of Rs. 48,376 was netted from the Avanashi Sub-Registrar's office.

As the officials were not able to provide any explanation for the cash on their person, a case under Section 102 of the Criminal Procedure Code was registered. Similarly, following a complaint that officials from the Inspectorate of Drugs Control were collecting donation from medical shops, a team led by District Inspection Cell Officer, V. Subramanian and comprising DVAC sleuths raided the Drug Controller's Office on Race Course in the city on Friday night.

About Rs. 1.16 lakhs was seized from an Assistant Director of Drugs and a Senior Drug Control Inspector. The team arrested both officials, who were later released on bail. Cases have been registered against them under Sections 13 (2) read with and 13 (1) (d) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. Two women employees were found in possession of unaccounted cash totalling Rs. 3,000 each. .

On Saturday, DVAC sleuths received complaints that officials at the Commercial Tax checkpost in KG Chavadi and Transport Department checkposts at Vazhandayamaram on Pollachi - Anaimalai Road and at Thirumalayampalayam near Ettimadai on the Tamil Nadu - Kerala border, were collecting bribes from drivers and conducted checks. About Rs. 8,000 unaccounted amount was seized from the Transport Department checkpost.

To continue

The DVAC sleuths confirmed that raids would be stepped up. Public, who have complaints, can approach the DVAC office on Cross Cut Road either in person or through letters or pass on information at 95-422-2238647, the officials said.

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