Minister Saroja refutes corruption charges by official

The Minister denied of having summoned Raja Meenakshi to her house to discuss the transfer issue. 

To clear the air on the allegations, Saroja narrated the series of incidents related to Raja Meenakshi. The Minister said Meenakshi was appointed through a ‘transparent’ recruitment process after advertisements for the post was called for in newspapers. Raja Meenakshi was appointed in September 2016. 

“She was accused of forging bills and embezzling money from the district child welfare fund. This was taken to the Collector’s notice by the probation officer on March 1, 2017. Subsequently, the Collector had ordered a probe and a revenue official summoned Meenakshi to present her version. On Meenakshi’s request, on the grounds of health, the date for her appearance was put off to June 8,” the Minister said. 

Saroja claimed that Meenakshi met her on May 7 and urged to regularise her service along with a request for transfer. “Further, her meeting with the Minister concerned (Saroja) without submitting a petition to the Collector or the department commissioner or secretary makes it clear it was a bid to malign my reputation,” the minister alleged. 

“Therefore, with the intention of diverting attention away from the probe into embezzlement charges against her and to malign me, she has wantonly levelled false allegations at the instigation of someone. All the charges are contrary to facts,” the Minister said. 

On May 11, Meenakshi had lodged a complaint with the police alleging that Saroja had demanded Rs 20 lakh for her transfer to Chennai, and that she had already paid Rs 10 lakh to allow her to continue in her job.