Designate two-member team to enquire VAO’s absence: HC

A petition filed by S Selvagurunathan of Pazhiyanchiyanallur, Melaiyur post, Thiruvidaimaruthur taluk, Thanjavur district came up for hearing before Justice R Suresh Kumar.

The petitioner claimed that farmers, who solely rely on agriculture as their livelihood of Melaiyur village had been finding it difficult to avail subsidized farm implements for enhancing agricultural activities since Village Administrative Officer remains absent from his office. Despite approaching the office of VAO several times, the officer was not available. The VAO usually leaves the office earlier on Friday’s and reaches the office at afternoon on Mondays. To avail subsidized pump set, the VAO needs to certify eligibility and issue certificate, the petitioner said.

According to Tamil Nadu Panchayats Act 1994, Chapter-V, VAOs normally had powers of maintaining funds and disbursal and shortlist eligible members to avail benefits of any government scheme. Moreover, VAOs had a bounden duty to distribute government funds properly for all works and ensure government schemes reach the needy and other developmental aspects of the village. Even after representing the issue with Thanjavur Collector and Tahsildar through petitions about the VAO’s absence in his office, no action had been taken.

Hence, the petitioner said that he moved the court seeking direction instructing the VAO to stay within his residential jurisdiction of Melaiyur Revenue village. On hearing, the Judge ordered District Collectors to submit reports in this regard on August 1 and adjourned the case.