Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram   

Officials suspended

Special Correspondent

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Government has suspended six Local Self-Government Department employees for failing to take action against unauthorised structures in the Munnar, Devikulam, Pallivasal and Chinnakanal panchayat limits.

The disciplinary action has been taken on the basis of a report of Panchayat Joint Director Eapen Francis who conducted an inquiry into complaints of unauthorised construction and violation of Panchayati Raj rules, as directed by Local Self-Government Minister Paloli Mohammed Kutty.

A preliminary inquiry revealed cases of issuing door numbers without the consent of the panchayats, transfer of ownership and assessing such structures for building tax. Mr. Francis found that no steps were taken to prevent construction of such buildings and demolish completed structures.

Action has been taken against Shaji Mohan, Vandiperiyar grama panchayat secretary (former superintendent, Munnar panchayat); B. Rajendran Nair, assistant engineer, Erattupetta panchayat (former assistant engineer, Munnar panchayat); C.V. Rajendra Kumar, overseer, Munnar panchayat; K.Babu, secretary, Upputhara panchayat (former secretary Pallivasal panchayat); O.S. Veerendran, secretary Rajakkad panchayat (former secretary, Pallivasal panchayat); and V. Balakrishnan, assistant engineer, Munnar panchayat. The Government had earlier suspended Abdul Rehman who was secretary of Munnar panchayat. The secretaries of Devikulam and Chinnakanal panchayats will be transferred out of the district as part of the punitive measures. Police cases will be registered against those who have been suspended from service.

The Minister has ordered the formation of a squad comprising Mr. Francis and Chief Town Planner Eapen Varughese to probe unauthorised construction in grama panchayats all over the State.

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