CHENNAI: The Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) laid 19 traps in Tamil Nadu between Sept 1 and 30 and arrested 15 govt officials who allegedly demanded and accepted bribes ranging from Rs 1,500 to Rs 7 lakh for performing official duties. The arrested officials include junior assistants, commercial inspectors, district environment engineers, village administrative officers, field surveyors, assistant engineers, panchayat secretaries, municipal engineers and special tahsildars.During the month, DVAC officials, along with officers from the district inspection cells, conducted surprise checks at various govt offices across the state. The checks resulted in the seizure of Rs 13,78,207 in unaccounted cash and the detection of suspicious financial transactions amounting to Rs 1,59,70,459 through G Pay, taking the total to Rs 1,73,48,666.Separate surprise checks at sub-registrar offices, TNPDCL offices and waqf board resulted in the seizure of Rs 3,94,490 in unaccounted cash and the detection of suspicious G Pay transactions worth Rs 28,12,600, totalling Rs 32,07,090.In another operation, DVAC officials conducted a surprise check at SDS Government Aided Polytechnic College in Pattukottai town in Thanjavur district and seized Rs 10 lakh in unaccounted money. Cases have been registered and investigations are underway.Meanwhile, special courts dealing with Prevention of Corruption Act cases, as well as principal and sessions courts in Virudhunagar and Vellore, convicted two village administrative officers in two separate cases during the month. The courts sentenced the officials to imprisonment ranging from two to four years and imposed fines of Rs 10,000 to Rs 20,000.
