Thiruvananthapuram: The city corporation council has decided to seek a vigilance inquiry into allegations of corruption against two officials in the revenue section of the Corporation. All the councillors unanimously supported the decision. UDF councillors Johnson Joseph and Beempalli Rasheed said that the secretary should look into these issues a little more seriously.Education Standing Committee chairperson Unnikrishnan S. brought up the issue when the Fin-ance Standing Commi-ttee’s agenda was being presented.
He alleged that a revenue inspector at the main office has been delaying reports and asking for bribes. On hearing this, Karamana Ajith alleged that Thiruvallom revenue inspector was also corrupt. The RI at the main office is alleged to have deliberately delayed a report on the ration card application of a school teacher with visual impairment. “Though the teacher had produced a Government Order proving that she was staying at PWD Quarters, the RI said that it was not enough. Someone who wanted occupancy certificate was asked Rs 500 as bribe. Another person with a ration card application was asked to bring the councillor’s letter. I have personally met her for various applications, but she would not budge,” said Mr Unnikrishnan.
There have been complaints about this RI when she was at Ulloor, according to Akkulam councillor V.R. Sini and Ulloor councillor Johnson Joseph. When they complained the RI was transferred. No one revealed if an inquiry was ordered then. Mayor V.K. Prasanth said that councillors should never hesitate to bring up issues of corruption, as the council has never shirked from investigating into corruption allegations.
