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Madras HC issues directions upon Officers to check for Corruption.
The Village Administrative Officers (VAO) in Madurai were said to have been involved in corrupt activity. wherein they were allegedly demanding bribes from the public for the issuance of birth certificates and death certificates.Subsequently, the Madras High Court directed the Higher Officials and the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) officials to investigate the matter. Directions were given to inspect and stop these corruptive practices in the VAOs.
The matter came into light after a petition was filed by one Kaleeswari who was seeking a government job on compassionate grounds after the death of her second husband. Kaleeswari and her deceased husband Ambedkar were recorded to have been married to toher people. While the initial wife of Ambedkar had passed away, Kaleeswari was aid to have married Ambedkar without divorcing her initial husband who was alive.
In spite of this, a marriage certificate fabricating such facts was available, it declared the marriage betweenthe above two to be valid clarifying that Kaleeswari had in fact not divorced her ealier husband.
On due deliberations, the high court was inclined to deny Kaleeswari the relief sought by her. Further the court also directed the Secretary of Revenue Department and the secretary of Administrative Reforms Department to constitute a review committee. The review committee would look into the matters of the VAO and would also check the Discipline and Appeal Rules. The committee is also empowered to modify, amend and implement any new rules as it deems fir for the purpose of eliminating corruption.
Directions were also given to the District Collector to look into the VAOs of their respective districts. Strict directions were given to them to initiate legal proceedings in case of any illegal activity being undertaken by the VAOs.
To ensure a proper check and smooth functioning of the offices the VAOs were told to maintain one register wherein they would enter the details of all the certificates issued by them. the register would contain all the details of the village also.
