THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Government, which aims to bring in transparency in the survey department, is alleged to have delayed in taking action against officials who have been charged of various irregularities by the Vigilance. Though many of the Vigilance recommendations are as old as five years, the officials, including regional directors and district level officials, still continue in their posts.
Apart from this, it is alleged that some of the officials in the Survey department, including the additional director, who have taken severe steps against corrupt officials, are being made a scapegoat for not acting under political pressure. Highly placed sources said that there are files as old as five years on which no action has been taken. It is alleged that the government has been keeping silence on the various reports that pointed out widespread corruption because of certain political influence.
Apart from this, the officials also were in good contact with various unions, which has delayed taking action against them, the sources said. In an instance, the Vigilance unit of the Survey Department had recommended for suspension and demotion of a regional director about 2 to 3 years ago. However, the files of the recommendation are not available with the revenue department and is learned to have been called for by the Chief Minister’s office.
Though various irregularities of deputy directors, district superintendents and other officials have been reported, the sources said that no action has been taken on these reports. Most of the irregularities found by the Vigilance Unit concerns conversion of land, title deeds and measurement of land.
Revenue Minister Adoor Prakash said that the government had always been strict in taking action against corrupt officials. “As and when the Vigilance unit files a report, action has been taken accordingly,” he said. However, he said that he was not aware of any pending report against any regional director or other higher officials.
