Madurai: A complaint alleging a Rs 40,000 bribe in connection with a retired teacher’s pension processing has been sent from London to Chief Minister Vijay’s grievance channel, officials said.
The complainant is linked to Seenithai of Virudhunagar’s NGO Colony, who retired in May as a secondary grade teacher from a government primary-middle school under Kallikudi union in Madurai district. She has alleged that Kallikudi Block Education Officer (BEO) Muthukkumar received money to issue “no objection” and “no dues” certificates required for pension approvals. Education department officials are said to be looking into the matter.
Seenithai’s son Satheesh, an engineer working in London, has forwarded the complaint to the Tamil Nadu government’s WhatsApp number announced for reporting bribe demands, addressed to the Chief Minister’s special cell. He has sought steps to ensure the monthly pension is released without delay and that the alleged bribe amount is recovered.
Seenithai claimed the money was collected through headmaster Vasudevan, and that another son Rohith, based in Dubai, transferred Rs 30,000 to the headmaster, while she paid Rs 5,000 directly to the BEO. She also alleged her earlier complaint was not properly investigated.
BEO Muthukkumar denied the allegations, stating that an inquiry by the Thirumangalam Assistant Elementary Education Officer had concluded the complaint was not true. Separately, All India Teachers Association district secretary Jayachandran has called for a transparent inquiry, alleging similar irregularities occur during pension note preparation and that complainants’ statements are often not recorded.
