Judge fumes over rampant corruption in Chennai corporation

Chennai: Pointing towards rampant corruption because of which people are unable to get even a single document without bribing officials, the Madras high court passed strictures against the Chennai Corporation. 

Justice SM Subramaniam, before whom a petition filed by H Lakshmi came up for hearing on Tuesday, said “in every transaction in the corporation, people are absolutely frustrated and the corrupt activities of the officials are rampant and the people are unable to get necessary approvals, certificates and documents from the Corporation without paying bribe to these officials.”

Additional Advocate General Manishankar, who appeared on behalf of the Commissioner of Corporation, Chennai submitted that the Corporation was taking all steps to eradicate the irregularities and illegalities in respect of construction activities and other related offences. 

Rejecting the submission, the judge said, “this Court is of an opinion that such actions so far initiated are not found satisfactory and the people are totally frustrated in respect of the inaction of the Corporation officials to control and minimise the illegal building constructions and large scale violations in constructions. Thus, stern action is highly warranted in this regard.”

The judge directed Corporation Commissioner to file a report explaining the nexus, collusion and corrupt activities largely found between the officials of corporation, police, local politicians, electricity board authorities and metro board authorities.  “The report should disclose whether the building approvals granted by the Corporation have been followed and implemented by the persons concerned in accordance with the rules or not and whether inspections are conducted or not? If so, what all are the actions initiated against the irregularities and illegalities,” the judge said.

He wanted the report to elaborate on the situations prevailing and the connivance between these officials for committing large scale violations and developing corrupt activities in respect of construction activities and other related activities in the city. The judge also directed the Commissioner to explain role of the Vigilance Cell of the Corporation and number of cases booked and actions taken in this regard. Posting the matter to August 27 for pronouncing order, the directed the Commissioner to file the report by August 27 and appear in person.

 The judge passed the interim order when H Lakshmi's petition came up for hearing on Tuesday. The petitioner seeks a direction to the Executive Engineer, Zone VIII of Corporation of Chennai to remove the generator, which was placed in front of her house abutting the front wall of the residence.