Kaumudi impact; mass transfer in Kottarakkara taluk office following vigilance raid

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The revenue department principal secretary's recommendation to transfer the concerned officials of the Kottarakkara taluk office en masse, after an inspection found bribery and irregularities by officials, has been implemented after five months.

The land revenue commissioner's order came today transferring four deputy tehsildars and replacing them with four others. Kerala Kaumudi had reported that the transfer was not implemented on November 27.

Of the six deputy tahsildars, except Ajimon, who is differently-abled, the others were recommended to be transferred to low-density posts in other taluks of the district. Among them, Election Department Deputy Tahsildar Rajesh AR had earlier shifted to Nedumangad. The order was issued today to shift G Ajesh to Punalur and Reji K George, R Shiju and Saritha Chandran to Pathanapuram. The district collector has been directed to implement the order immediately.

The vigilance and a special team had conducted an investigation based on a complaint that some officials were taking bribes in Kottarakkara taluk, where there are several quarries and sand smuggling is rampant. Based on the report of the revenue additional secretary, Tahsildar MK Ajikumar, deputy tahsildar (inspection) Anil Kumar V and Manoj T, who was working in the permanent post of driver, were suspended subject to an inquiry.