Chennai: Despite Tamil Nadu facing frequent polls over the past two years, Chennai corporation officials who did election duty are yet to get incentives and other payments. The demand for immediate disbursement of incentives rose again after officials were forced to work again in the RK Nagar by-election. A revenue official attached to Greater Chennai Corporation said that incentives for those who worked during the 2016 assembly election, is yet to be disbursed. “Payments for cancelled RK Nagar by-election is also pending,” the official said.
When the Election Commission engages in poll related work, it seeks the help of officials from local bodies. “We need manpower. We hire workers on temporary basis. They are waiting for their payment. We also spent from our pocket to conduct awareness campaigns and electoral roll purification work. Those reimbursements are also pending,” the official rued.
Election Department officials said that files regarding disbursement of incentives are being processed and the incentives would be given soon. “Officials who work during elections should keep proper invoices and vouchers to claim reimbursements. Some officials who do not have proper bills suffer as we are not able to provide payments,” a department official said.
