Panchayat Chief Arrested in Bribery Case Over DTCP Approval

Rapid Summary:

• incident: The 45-year-old panchayat president of Mel Sandakuppam village, B. Sivakumar, was arrested by the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) for demanding and accepting a bribe.
• Details: Sivakumar allegedly demanded ₹12 lakh from complainant K. Srinivasan for Directorate of Town and Country Planning (DTCP) approval related to converting ancestral land into residential plots.
• Timeline:

– Srinivasan initially paid ₹10 lakh after securing DTCP approval for seven acres of land.
– Sivakumar later insisted on receiving the remaining ₹2 lakh,leading Srinivasan to file a complaint with DVAC.

• Action Taken: A seven-member DVAC team led by Deputy SP K. Raji caught Sivakumar in a trap. He was arrested and lodged at Tirupattur sub-jail while further inquiry continues.

Indian Opinion Analysis:

This case underscores enduring challenges associated with corruption in local governance frameworks in India, particularly concerning real estate approvals-a sector notoriously prone to bribery due to substantial financial stakes involved. While such arrests are critical steps toward accountability, they also highlight systemic inefficiencies that facilitate unlawful demands.

The vigilance mechanism demonstrated swift action in this instance, serving as a deterrent against misconduct within administrative levels. However, it also raises broader concerns about trust within grassroots leadership structures like panchayats which play an essential role in rural development.

Addressing these issues holistically involves not only stringent enforcement but also increased transparency in decision-making processes like DTCP approvals-potentially through digitization or autonomous oversight mechanisms-to reduce opportunities for malpractice.

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