Salem Activist Demands Judicial Probe into Nutrition Scheme Appointments
Ambedkar Makkal Iyakkam state president A Annadurai has submitted a formal petition to the Salem district administration, calling for a thorough investigation into alleged irregularities and corruption in the recruitment of nutritional cooking assistants in government and government-aided schools within the Salem panchayat union. The petition, filed on Wednesday, specifically demands the constitution of a commission headed by a retired high court judge to probe these serious allegations.
Allegations of Corruption and Illegal Appointments
Annadurai has accused officials of engaging in corrupt practices during the appointment process for the MGR Nutrition Scheme, which is administered by the Tamil Nadu government's department of social welfare and nutrition schemes. He has demanded immediate action against those officials involved in the corruption, emphasizing the need for transparency and accountability.
The activist has also called for the cancellation of services of individuals who were allegedly appointed illegally. He insists that qualified candidates should be appointed in their place to ensure the effective implementation of the nutrition program, which is crucial for the well-being of students in schools.
Recruitment Process Under Scrutiny
The recruitment drive was initiated through a notification issued in April last year to fill vacant posts of nutritional cooking assistants in the Salem panchayat union. According to the government order (GO) issued for this recruitment, the minimum qualification required for candidates is a Class X pass.
However, Annadurai has alleged that this requirement was blatantly violated. He claims that candidates who had failed their Class X exams were still appointed, raising serious questions about the integrity of the selection process.
Violations of GO Guidelines
Further allegations include that interviews were conducted without properly examining the ethnic background and distance criteria as prescribed in the GO. Annadurai stated that many applicants manipulated their Aadhaar cards to change their location to within three kilometres of the schools, thereby unfairly gaining selection advantages.
This manipulation, he argues, not only breaches the recruitment guidelines but also undermines the fairness of the entire process, potentially depriving more deserving candidates of opportunities.
Demand for Action Against Bribery and Unqualified Selections
In his petition, Annadurai has demanded stringent action against individuals who allegedly joined the nutrition programme by paying bribes amounting to several lakhs of rupees. He has also sought accountability from the Salem panchayat union commissioner and the district collector's interview assistant, whom he accuses of selecting unqualified people for these critical roles.
The call for a judicial probe highlights growing concerns over corruption in public welfare schemes and underscores the need for robust oversight to ensure that such programs benefit the intended recipients without malpractice.
