A food safety officer was caught by the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption police with bribe money allegedly collected from sweet shops in the run-up to Deepavali. Ramasamy, the food safety officer for the Puliyakulam area, was found with Rs 60,000.
The anti-corruption police had received information that Ramasamy had collected the money from six sweet shops. Inspectors Ezhilarasi and Prabhudas conducted a surprise check, which confirmed that he had accepted the bribes. The police seized the money and questioned him.
During the festival season, sweet shops, bakeries and food manufacturers prepare and sell large quantities of sweets and savouries, and catering firms also take orders. The Food Safety Department routinely conducts surprise inspections to prevent adulterated and substandard sweets. However, it is alleged that some inspecting officials use the season to collect money and take sweets and savouries free of cost by the kilo.
Food Safety Commissioner Lalvena had recently issued an order warning of strict action against department officials who accept free sweets. Despite the warning, the officer was caught accepting bribes.
Anti-corruption police said he was caught with the money collected from the six shops and that a case will be registered against him. Anuradha, the District Designated Officer for Food Safety, said an inquiry will be conducted and a report sent to the Commissioner, and that action will be taken on his orders.
