Bribery Charges: Tangedco Foreman Arrested Near Katpadi

Quick Summary

• A 50-year-old Tangedco foreman, S. Kirubakaran, was arrested by the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) in Virinchipuram village near Katpadi in Vellore.
• The arrest followed a complaint from V. Echhappan, a 67-year-old driver, who sought a new domestic electricity connection for his recently constructed house.
• Echhappan had already paid Rs 27,000 via online payment for the necessary deposit and charges but alleged that Kirubakaran demanded an additional Rs 3,000 as a bribe to install electricity poles.
• DVAC officials laid a trap and apprehended Kirubakaran after confirming the bribery accusation.
• The foreman has been lodged at Central prison in Vellore.

Indian Opinion analysis

The incident highlights ongoing challenges around corruption at grassroots administrative levels in India. Despite advancements such as digital payment platforms reducing certain forms of inefficiencies, corruption persists when discretionary power remains with field officials. Arrests like this underscore efforts by anti-corruption bodies such as the DVAC to address systemic issues; though, this underscores the necessity for sustained institutional reforms within service-delivery entities like Tangedco to increase accountability.

For citizens like Echhappan striving to access basic services without undue demands or delays, transparent mechanisms paired with rigorous enforcement will be crucial. Actions against individuals engaging in bribery set vital precedents but should coexist with broader policies that deter corrupt practices system-wide.

Read more: Source Link – The Hindu