7 Chennai officials suspended as TVK's anti-corruption crusade continues
Chief Minister Vijay's anti-corruption drive continued on Saturday as municipal authorities in Chennai suspended seven officials and registered an FIR against them over alleged corruption
Chief Minister Vijay's anti-corruption drive continued on Saturday as municipal authorities in Chennai suspended seven officials and registered an FIR against them over alleged corruption. The action followed surprise inspections carried out by the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) last week, during which officials allegedly found unaccounted cash and unexplained digital transactions. "One assistant executive engineer was unable to explain GPay transactions amounting to Rs 2.39 lakh during the surprise inspection," a senior GCC official told India Today. Read Full Story According to officials, the inspections were conducted in Zones 6 and 9 of the Greater Chennai Corporation. Zone 6 covers parts of North Chennai, including Kolathur, Ayanavaram and Perambur, while Zone 9 includes key commercial and residential areas in Central Chennai such as Thousand Lights, Mylapore and Nungambakkam.
The officials were suspended and booked under anti-corruption provisions after the GCC received a report from the Tamil Nadu Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) on Friday. The latest action comes days after six other GCC officials were suspended over allegations of bribery, fake billing and a cash-for-jobs racket. Several of the suspended officials had spent years in the civic body, with some having served for nearly two decades. The GCC is also considering removing the accused officials from service after an inquiry, if they are found guilty, instead of limiting the action to suspension. GCC Commissioner Sameeran told India Today that the action was in line with Chief Minister Vijay's stated policy of zero tolerance towards corruption.
The anti-corruption drive has also extended beyond the civic body, with the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) taking action against one of its own leaders. Recently, a TVK panchayat leader was arrested after a purported video showed him allegedly accepting a bribe. He was expelled from the party even before an FIR was registered. Earlier this week, the TVK-led government launched a dedicated WhatsApp helpline to allow citizens to report alleged bribery in government offices. The helpline, managed by the DVAC, aims to help citizens submit complaints and evidence related to corruption. Anti-corruption was one of the key themes of the TVK's election campaign, with CM Vijay pitching the party as an alternative to existing political forces in Tamil Nadu.
The BriefWire