THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Minister for Local Self-Government and Excise, M. B. Rajesh, said that there is corruption in the Local Self-Government department. The Minister spoke of corruption in his own ministry while inaugurating the ‘Darshan Shilpashala’ of Local Engineering Department at Vyloppilli Samskrithi Bhavan.

The Minister added that those who are corrupt are a blemish to those who are working honestly. He said that the poor must not be denied justice and added that people must not be burdened to get the service they need from government offices.

The officers must be infallible and committed to helping the people. He said that using technicalities to deny justice will not be tolerated. The Minister said that he underlines whatever the former Minister, M. V. Govindan, told about these things.

The Minister felicitated retired Chief Engineer, Sajeevan and Assistant Executive Engineer, Pradeep Thulika for their service contribution. Local Self-Government Rural Principal Secretary, Dr. Sharmila Mary Joseph, presided over the program. Additional Chief Secretary, Sharada Muralidharan, Planning Board Member, Prof. Jiju.P.Alex, KSRDA Chief Engineer Sandeep. G, Chief Engineer, K. Johnson, Director Arun. K. Vijayan also spoke at the occasion.