Chennai: Officer to pay Rs 2 lakh fine for denying freebies

Chennai: The State Human Rights Commission has slapped a fine of Rs 2 lakh on an Assistant Elementary Educational Officer of Vellore District for not providing free school books, notebooks, uniform and free noon meal to government school students during 2014-2015.

In the petition, Mahendran, Secretary of Thiru-Vi-Ka Middle School (Government Aided), Vaniyambadi  said that C.Chitra, Assistant Elementary Educational Officer, Natrampalli, Vellore District had not provided aid given by the State Government to the students of the school for the period 2014-2015. Even after instruction from District Elementary Educational Officer (DEEO), the officer had not provided the assistance to the students.

In her reply, Chitra denied the allegations, saying the complaint was false and  was filed with an ulterior motive to threaten her. The Complainant also suppressed the facts of the case. After closing his school, Mahendran started a new school at Thiru-Vi-Ka Nagar, Maruthuvar Colony, Nethaji Nagar, Vaniyambadi without getting approval from the Government, violating rules. 

The school was not entitled to receive any aid from the government. As per direction of the Madras High court she provided the benefits to the students studying in Thiru-Vi-Ka Aided Primary School, Fort, Vaniyambadi.

The judge D. Jayachandran, said the AEEO Chitra continuously refused to obey the order of the Madras High court and DEEO. Hence, the State Government must initiate severe action against her. The Commission has directed the AEEO to pay a compensation of Rs 2 lakh to Manoharan.

The Commission has recommended to the Department to initiate disciplinary action against her. The Commission also recommended that the Government shall direct the AEEO, Natrampalli to provide the benefits such as free books, notebooks, uniform, free noon-meal to the students for the period 2014-15 and thereafter.