Plea in Madras HC says Pudukottai collector, PA made illegal appointments

L Saravanan| TNN | Updated: Oct 25, 2017, 19:49 IST



MADURAI: The Madurai bench of the Madras high court on Wednesday ordered the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption to file an action-taken report on a complaint against Pudukottaidistrict collector S Ganesh and his PA, Ramesh, for allegedly making illegal appointments in the noon meal scheme.

Justice A M Basheer Ahamed gave this direction on a petition filed by job aspirant K Thamizh Selvi.

When the case came up for hearing, the petitioner's counsel said, "The collector and his PA filled not less than 130 vacancies in the post of noon meal organiser on October 16 last for extraneous considerations. Through middle men, they have collected from Rs 3 lakh to Rs 4 lakh per appointment."

Certificate verification and interview took place in February last to fill vacancies in the post of noon meal organiser. But the collector had kept the selection process in abeyance for more than eight months, the counsel said.

"The petitioner who was not interested in paying bribe to the officials took the issue to the DVAC by way of sending complaint on October 10. He also filed a case before the Madurai bench of the high court. The court in turn heard it on October 13 and ordered notice. After that, the officials made appointments illegally. Now, the collector's PA is going to retire on October 31. If he is allowed to retire, it will be a mockery."

"It is necessary to grant an order of interim injunction restraining the vigilance commissioner from allowing the illegally appointed noon meal organisers from discharging their functions. It is necessary that a direction should be issued to the vigilance commissioner not to allow the PA to retire. An FIR should be filed based on a complaint lodged on October 10. Also, steps should be taken to prevent the district collector from influencing the witnesses," the counsel said.

The court adjourned the case to October 30.