HC directs Social Welfare dept to act against official

: The Madras High Court today directed the Tamil Nadu Social Welfare Department to look into the allegations of sanction of funds under welfare schemes, to ineligible beneficiaries.

The Court gave the directions recently when the Tamil Nadu Social Welfare Department informed it of the action taken against a delinquent official of the department in connection with the grant of funds to 26 ineligible persons under various schemes.

An affidavit was filed by the authorities stating that the amounts paid to the ineligible beneficiaries is being sought to be recovered by passing orders under the Revenue Recovery Act.

After recording the submission, the Court directed the authorities to take action against the officials responsible for sanctioning of funds under various welfare schemes to ineligible beneficiaries for the years 2009-13, and complete the process in a period of six months.
 

The Court then disposed the petition.

The matter relates to a PIL by one Govi.Thangaraj, of Thiruvallur, which sought a direction to the Director of the Social Welfare Department to initiate action against the officials responsible for sanctioning funds to ineligible candidates under various welfare schemes using fabricated documents.

The petitioner had submitted that the Centre and the State government have implemented various schemes to improve the living standards of senior citizens, physically challenged, widows, and destitute women and amounts were allocated for those who are in need of it.

He then alleged that a ward member of Thiruverkadu Municipality, KPS Ilayaraja had favoured his family members and friends, by misusing his official position, to avail the funds under these schemes.

He further stated that he had made a representation in this regard to the authorities but of no avail, following which he had moved the Court, which had then directed the authorities to look into the issue.

Despite a High Court order no action was taken, he submitted.