A woman health officer who was transferred to Sivakasi after exposing corruption in the Tirunelveli Corporation has now been placed on a waiting list after uncovering another irregularity within Sivakasi Corporation. Her reassignment, which came soon after she imposed a fine on a private company for violations, has led to discussions about the corrupt Dravidian Model of governance.
In Sivakasi, the sanitation contract has been handled by Ram & Co since April 2022, as per the orders of the Municipal Administrative Commissioner. The corporation allocates ₹8.5 crore annually to the company, which is responsible for employing 270 sanitation workers and ensuring efficient waste management.
During a corporation meeting, councilors voiced concerns about an insufficient workforce and a lack of proper equipment, which they claimed were affecting sanitation services. In response, health department officials conducted an inspection, uncovering multiple violations. The investigation revealed that only 170 workers were employed instead of the required 270, employees were not receiving ESI and PF benefits, wastes collected were not being properly segregated, and corporation vehicles were poorly maintained.
Following these findings, the Sivakasi Municipal Corporation’s Health Officer recommended imposing a ₹37 lakh fine on the contractor. However, no immediate action was taken. It was only after media reports exposed the issue that the fine was finally enforced in January 2025.
Subsequently, reports suggest that political pressure from the DMK and the contractor company played a role in Saroja’s transfer. The Health Secretary reassigned her to Tenkasi Municipality, where there is no designated post for an Health Officer, effectively placing her on a waiting list.
Officer Unearthed A Similar Scam In Tirunelveli
Interestingly, Saroja was initially transferred to Sivakasi after uncovering a ₹55 lakh scam in the Tirunelveli Corporation, where an excessive amount of cleaning supplies was procured in a single month.
In a statement, R. Mohan, president of the Nellai District Rural Development Workers’ Union alleged that certain officials recently procured phenyl worth ₹12 lakh for a two-month supply but generated fraudulent invoices claiming a purchase of ₹67 lakh, attempting to siphon off ₹55 lakh. Dr. Saroja, however, resisted pressure to approve these inflated bills.
Additionally, he pointed out irregularities in the corporation’s solid waste management contract. According to the agreement, the contractor was required to employ 763 workers but had hired fewer than 500. The contractor allegedly falsified records to pocket the salaries of over 250 workers. Dr. Saroja identified this malpractice and confronted the contractor. She was also known for supporting sanitation workers and dengue breeding checkers in their demand for fair wages.
Mohan further alleged that under pressure from certain officials, the outgoing Corporation Commissioner, Thakare Shubham Dnyandeorao, relieved Dr. Saroja from her role immediately after his transfer orders were issued.
The same company now under investigation in Sivakasi had also secured a contract in Tirunelveli. Her abrupt transfer, despite repeatedly exposing corruption, has sparked a major controversy, raising serious concerns about political influence and a corruption in Dravidian Model governance.
(With Inputs From Dinamalar)
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