A woman ragpicker from Kurunthudaiyarpuram in Kokkirakulam near the Collectorate earns Rs. 7.20 lakh per annum, as per the income certificate given by the officials to the poor woman since she allegedly refused to bribe officials to get the document.
As per norms, anyone having an annual income of Rs. 72,000 and below would be eligible to get official assistance like free gold and marriage assistance. After making arrangements for the marriage of her daughter M. Subha, a B.Com graduate, M. Annathaai applied to revenue officials for the certificate as the woman had to attach a copy of it to get free gold and marriage assistance.
“As I earn only Rs. 2,000 a month by picking rag around the Collectorate and my husband Madasamy is a labourer, I cannot bribe lower-level revenue staff to recommend my case. When I received the income certificate, it stated that I earn Rs. 7.20 lakh per annum. I don’t know how they arrived at this amount. For a below poverty line family the said income is unimaginable,” said Ms. Annathaai, who submitted a petition to Collector M. Karunakaran on Monday seeking correction in the certificate.
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The income certificate issued “after proper enquiry” by the revenue officials to Ms. Annathaai on May 13 last states that Mr. Madasamy’s family is getting an annual income of Rs. 7,20,002 by way of production, other related works, transport equipment operation and labourers.
After submitting the petition along with her daughter at the weekly grievances day meeting, the poor woman started picking rags on the Collectorate premises as usual as it is her only source of income.
“For a below poverty line family the income is unimaginable”