This TN woman sent a money order to collector as bribe. Will she get her work done now?

The Villupuram district collector L Subramanian has ordered an inquiry against one of the revenue officials under him after a woman sent him money order as bribe.

Angry and frustrated over the alleged bribe demand by a revenue official for sanctioning the funeral expenses of her father, 27-year-old Sudha sent a money order for Rs 2,000 to the collector as 'part payment'. 

After receiving the money order and a letter from Sudha, who complained that a village administrative officer (VAO) in Villupuram demanded Rs 3,500 as bribe for clearing the Rs 25,000 assistance, Subramanian has initiated an inquiry. Appropriate action would be taken after the completion of inquiry, he pointed out. 

In her letter, Sudha said she has been running from pillar to post to get the funeral expenses, granted by the government to people below poverty line, and obtaining the death certificate of her father, who passed away in August 2016. 

She said herself and her husband spent Rs 1,500 visiting the VAO office, taluk office and the collectorate several times for getting the amount sanctioned but the VAO insisted on payment of bribe. 

"Daily we were asked to come the next day... The revenue officials made us visit Ulundurpet Taluk office, the Collectorate and VAO's office... The officials said the amount will not be sanctioned unless Rs 3,500 was paid," she said. 

Frustrated by the adamant attitude of the officials, the woman then wrote to the collector and sent the money order for Rs 2,000, saying it was part of the amount demanded as bribe by the VAO.

(with PTI inputs)

• Tamil Nadu
• bribery