A nagaswaram player begs to protest demand of bribe

A 73-year-old man took to begging on the Collectorate premises protesting against the alleged demand of bribe by a Village Administrative Officer (VAO) here on Monday.

Accompanied by members of the Adi Tamil Peravai, K. Muthiah from Pappunayakkanpatti in Peraiyur taluk said that he had approached a VAO and submitted documents to avail himself of the assistance given to poor artistes by the Department of Art and Culture.

“I used to be a Nagaswaram player and had to stop performing due to my old age and health condition. Even though I had all the necessary documents and submitted them on time, the VAO demanded a bribe of Rs. 2,000 and flung the documents back at me,” he alleged.

Stating that he was collecting the bribe demanded by the VAO, Mr. Muthiah begged for money from a few people inside the Collectorate premises.

“Strict action should be taken against those who demand bribe. Officials who cause distress to senior citizens like this and prevent them from getting financial assistance which is due to them should be suspended,” he added.

Petition submitted

He then submitted a petition to officials of the district administration during the grievance redress meeting who forwarded his petition to the Peraiyur tahsildhar.