Thiruvananthapuram: Even as the State Government is planning to expand and strengthen Akshaya centres, there are complaints galore over several irregularities, mainly over the collection of excess service charges by some Akshaya centres. While Akshaya authorities used to take action against such centres, many instances of irregularities go unnoticed.
As more and more government services and payments are being offered through Akshaya centres, the need to ensure that such centres are corruption free assumes more significance, say sources.
The IT department is planning to increase the number of Akshaya centres from 2,300 to about 3,000 in the next six months. There are even plans to provide banking services through Akshaya centres.
“We used to get complaints about Akshaya centres and if the irregularities are committed with mala fide intentions, action will be taken,” said Akshaya director P. Balakiran.
Depending on the gravity of the irregularities action like suspension or even termination of recognition had been initiated against several Akshaya centres over the last several years.
Sources in the Revenue and Motor Vehicles Departments also said they used to receive complaints against some Akshaya centres for charging excess rates for services done.
As part of curbing the malpractice of collecting excess service charge, all Akshaya centres would be asked to display the list of charges for various services rendered.
In case of any complaint, the public can hand over complaints to the Akshaya director or district Akshaya coordinators or district collectors, said Balakiran.
