Corporation officials on Tuesday complained against the ruling party councillor and Corporation zonal Chairman (zone 4), P. Salaimuthu, of having abused, chased them away and intimidated them with dire consequences.
However, Mr. Salaimuthu denied all the allegations and claimed that he only questioned the “selective” encroachment drive carried out by the officials. “I have informed the Corporation Commissioner about it,” he said. Mr. Salaimuthu alleged that he was targeted for raking up several irregularities committed in the Corporation.
In a complaint submitted to the office of Corporation Commissioner (in-charge) N. Arumuga Nainar, Market Superintendent D. Selvaraj said that he had accompanied the Assistant Commissioner (Revenue) Shantimai for her personal inspection of four shops which were suspected to be encroaching upon government land.
Even as the Assistant Commissioner was in her official vehicle, Mr. Selvaraj and Ring Road Market Superintendent, Balasubramani and two office assistants enquired with one of the shopkeepers at the Palanganatham junction. The officials had asked for the license issued by the Corporation for the shop.
The man, identified as Balu, made a phone call, following which Mr. Salaimuthu arrived in his car. “He abused us in a filthy language, unmindful of the presence of the woman officer. He came close to assault me and threatened with dire consequences, if we did not leave the place immediately,” Mr. Selvaraj said in the complaint.
In the complaint, signed by all the five officials, including the Assistant Commissioner and staff, Mr. Selvaraj sought action against Mr. Salaimuthu for preventing Corporation officials from discharging their duty, causing loss of revenue to the civic body and intimidating with dire consequences.
They also sought job security and protection for the Corporation employees. A copy of the complaint has been sent to Mayor V.V. Rajan Chellappa and the leaders of Corporation employees' association.
The president of Madurai Corporation Clerk's Association, T. Mohammed Rafi, has condemned the incident and sought protection for the employees. The association members shouted slogans against the “politicians” for their interference in the routine work of the local body. They objected to exerting pressure on the employees to do undue favours, violating the established norms of the Corporation and State government.
The Corporation Commissioner said that he was not informed about the incident by the officials. He came to know about it only in the evening. “We will enquire into the complaint and take necessary action,” he said.
