HC gets tough on alleged graft in transport corporation

The Madras High Court Thursday voiced concern over allegations of large-scale corruption in loss-making state-owned transport corporations and allied organizations in Tamil Nadu and directed the government to take action against those found guilty after investigation. Justice S M Subramaniam of the Madurai Bench directed installation of CCTV cameras in bus stands, depots and administrative offices to monitor work pattern and irregularities to improve efficiency.

He was allowing a plea by a former employee of the Tamil Nadu State Transport Development Finance Corporation Ltd (TNSTDFC) seeking an inquiry into allegations of corruption and willful misappropriation of funds against an official of the corporation. The judge directed the Transport Secretary and the Joint Managing Director of TNSTDFC to conduct the inquiry within six weeks and initiate further action against the official as per the procedure.

He also ordered the secretary to ascertain the asset details of all higher officials in the management cadre as well as those of their spouses and dependents with reference to the declarations made by them and take suitable prosecution and disciplinary proceedings in the event of any discrepancies. Such an exercise must be done in four months, the judge said.

The judge said there were complaints that higher officials of the transport corporation were misutilising funds for their luxurious living and furnishing their office among others. He said such unnecessary expenditures should be monitored to ensure that transport corporations earn profit and are taken to the next level.

Justice Subramaniam pointed out that a large number of employees, attached to trade unions of political parties, were not doing any work. He said there were 200 such union functionaries in Madurai alone and the issue should be viewed seriously and stringent action taken.

The judge sought to know why government transport corporations suffered losses when private operators made profits. Though the corporation officials have been saying they were analyzing the reasons for the loss, they had not solved the problem, he added. Hence, it was time for the government conducts an investigation into corruption and other illegalities, the judge said.