Madurai: Officials across several Tamil Nadu government departments are said to be anxious after the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) police began a department-wise survey to identify those who allegedly demand bribes.
According to the report, the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam government has been showing increased focus on anti-corruption action. DVAC checks have been continuing in departments such as Transport (RTO offices), Registration and Revenue, and the latest step is to map out “hand-stretching” officials within key departments.
In Madurai, the Commercial Taxes department has reportedly been singled out for scrutiny, with more than 15 persons expected to be questioned. The development has heightened concern among employees in multiple departments.
Some government staff were quoted as saying that after searches in RTO offices, several offices have started restricting entry of unnecessary visitors and are functioning with doors kept locked. They also pointed to earlier instances in the Commercial Taxes department where senior officers remained in the same posting for over a decade, and said that after a change in government, 111 officials were transferred.
The staff further alleged that despite rules requiring a three-year minimum tenure before seeking another transfer, many who received promotions and postings earlier returned to their home districts within a few months due to influence. They argued that such patterns make the current survey necessary and said similar issues exist across departments.
