SIC directs action on govt officials on community certificate

Chennai, May 21 (UNI) The Tamil Nadu State Information Commission (SIC) has directed the Chennai District Collector to initiate action against Tahsildar and Headquarters Deputy Tahsildar for failing to issue a community certificate to help him seek government assistance for those who undergo intercaste marriage.

SIC Chairman S Ramakrishnan issued the directive following a petition filed by Mr G Thamizhendhi, who had applied for a community certificate to avail Rs 20,000 given by the State Government for inter-caste couple.

In his petition, Mr Thamizhendhi submitted he had also asked for income and resident certificate to avail the assistance. But the Tahsildar and his deputy denied them citing various reasons, for the past seven months.

He contended he had gone to the Taluk office with his wife for at least 30 times over a two-month period but were treated in a callous manner.

His petition to the Additional Secretary, Revenue Department,the appellate authority, did not produce any result.

Coming down heavily on the Tahsildar and his deputy, the SIC directed the Collector to seek explanation from the authorities and submit it before the Commission by the end of this month.

The Collector should also ensure the assistance of Rs 20,000, which the petitioner could not get, was recovered from the Tahsildar and his deputy and paid to the couple, the SIC directed.

The SIC also directed the Collector to frame charges against the delinquent officers under the Tamil Nadu Government Servant's Rules and file the result of the inquiry and punishment awarded to them before the Commission within three months.

Referring to the Tahsildar's contention that they did not have enough time to issue the certificate as they had lot of a other work to do, the Commissioner said ''this is a case where a poor person of the depressed community has been treated in a cavalier manner.'' Coming down heavily on the Tahsildar and his deputy, the SIC also held there was breach of RTI Act in this case.

UNI XR-WS GV SJ SY NS1951