In the wake of village offices facing criticism over the failure to address grievances of farmers, the Kozhikode district administration has decided to strengthen its internal monitoring mechanism, and keep an eye on tainted Revenue officials.
District Collector U.V. Jose will announce an action plan after holding discussions with Additional Chief Secretary (Revenue) P.H. Kurien in Kozhikode on Saturday. Mr. Kurien is also expected to visit the family of Kavilpurayidathil Joy, the settler farmer who ended his life after his attempt to remit land tax was allegedly denied by the Chembanoda village officials.
“The internal monitoring mechanism will be strengthened to keep an eye on the functioning of all Revenue Department offices, and streamline their services further to ensure fair treatment to all citizens,” Mr. Jose told The Hindu here on Friday.
He also indicated that tainted officers would be removed from their positions, and the public would get more opportunities to present their grievances to higher authorities for quick action. “On Saturday, the Additional Chief Secretary will directly hear the petition of the family members of Joy. The villagers also will get an opportunity to interact with him,” said Mr. Jose. He said the Revenue officers from the district would also be attending a separate meeting chaired by Mr. Kurien to discuss the possible steps to streamline the service delivery. The Collector also said he submitted the preliminary investigation report with all the details that led to the suicide of the farmer to the State government.
“We dealt with the issue with a compassionate approach, and we understand the pain of the farmers’ community in the area. Definitely, it would trigger a positive change in the functioning of Revenue offices,” he said.
The Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau (VACB) has also decided to zero in on corrupt officers on the basis of various confidential complaints. Sources said the VACB team would investigate the Chembanoda incident as well in which the family members of the late farmer raised corruption charges against the two village officials who were suspended from service on Thursday.
