Date: 19.12.2022 From Justice S.M.SUBRAMANIAM, No.34 (NB), Greenways Road, Chennai – 600 028. To The Commissioner, HR & CE Department,
Date: 19.12.2022
From
Justice S.M.SUBRAMANIAM,
No.34 (NB), Greenways Road,
Chennai – 600 028.
To
The Commissioner,
HR & CE Department,
Nungambakkam,
Chennai 600 034.
Sir,
Sub: Complaint against Financial Irregularities and misbehaviour of certain staff at Vadapalani Murugan
Temple – for appropriate action – Reg.
On 17-12-2022 at about 6.00 p.m., myself, my wife and daughter went to Vadapalani Murugan Temple for worship. We had offered a sum of Rs.150/- in the cash counter to issue three special Darshan tickets. The woman staff in the counter issued two 50 rupees tickets and one 5 rupee ticket for us. Noticing that, we asked her. Without any reaction, calmly she had taken back the 5 rupee ticket and issued 50 Rupees ticket. Several such tickets are kept on the table of the counter inside and we found such 5 rupee tickets were issued along with 50 rupees tickets to other persons in the counter. We have silently watched such irregularities committed to 3 or 4 persons and they did not noticed that. One male staff stayed along with the woman staff subsequently identified himself as Superintendent at later point of time.
- After completing our Darshan, which took about 15 minutes, I thought of informing about the financial irregularities to the Executive Officer for appropriate actions. We went to the office of the Executive Officer, where, 3 persons were available in the office. In the entry hall, one person was operating a computer on the right side of the hall. Myself along with my wife and daughter went inside the Hall and asked about the availability of the Executive Officer. He had not responded and questioned about us. But, he refused even to see us and not responded. Thereafter, we have seen two persons sitting in the left side room. We went inside and requested that persons to give us the telephone or Mobile numbers of the Executive Officer or Commissioner or P.A to Commissioner or complaint cell number. One person identified himself as Accountant in a rude voice, asked who are you? I informed that I came to temple for worship and narrated the incident occurred at the ticket counter and therefore, I wish to make a complaint. He in an arrogant manner, said that no such things are happening in the temple and he said that he will not provide us the phone number of the Executive Officer or Commissioner or complaint cell.
- We have repeatedly requested the staff members to provide us any authorized phone number for giving complaint. They had acted unbecoming of a public servant and dealt us in a rough, rude and arrogant manner. Having no other option, I called the Registrar, High Court to provide us the assistance of local police. On arrival of police, I disclosed my identity by informing my name and designation.
- Again, I made an attempt to secure the phone number of the Executive Officer to tell about the incident. Even in front of the police, the person, who was sitting in the cash counter along with the woman staff, identified himself as Superintendent told us that the Executive Officer informed him that we shall give a complaint and leave the place. Thereafter, we left the place and instructed the Registrar, High Court to ask the Executive Officer of the temple to be present before the Court at 10.30 a.m on 19.12.2022 for registering my complaint, since I was deprived off registering my complaint in the office of the Executive Officer or to the Commissioner through Helpline / Complaint Cell.
- We have seen the financial irregularities in the temple. Four male staff members identified themselves as Superintendent, Accountant, Assistant and one staff identity not known, treated us arrogantly, disrespectfully and rudely and acted unbecoming of public servants and prevented us from giving complaint about the financial irregularity. The woman staff in the ticket counter said that she was posted in the leave vacancy and informed us that two days back, there was a deficit of cash, which she paid from her money to the tune of Rs.600/-. However, she had not rudely behaved, but politely informed.
Therefore, all appropriate actions needs to be taken against all the 5 staff members and conduct an enquiry about the supervisory lapses against the Executive Officer and if any lapses, derelictions are found, initiate action against the Executive Officer and report to me on or before 09.01.2023.
(Justice S.M.SUBRAMANIAM)
Copy to
1.The Commissioner,
HR & CE Department,
Nungambakkam,
Chennai 600 034.
2.The Registrar-cum-Special Officer (Liaisoning),
High Court, Madras.
3.The Government Pleader, (HR & CE)
High Court, Madras.
