Tangedco lineman held for graft
A Tangedco lineman was arrested by the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption for allegedly demanding a bribe from a farmer. The official threatened the farmer with a heavy fine for modifying a power connection before being caught in a sting operation.
Why it matters
This incident highlights ongoing efforts by anti-corruption agencies in India to curb petty bribery within public utility departments.
After trapping a Forest Range Officer in a bribery case a fortnight ago, the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption (DVAC) police on Thursday arrested a Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (Tangedco) lineman while allegedly accepting ₹5,000 from a farmer.
According to DVAC sources, S. Murugesan, 42, of Thirikoodapuram near Kadayanallur, owns a 6.50-acre coconut grove in his father Sundarapandian’s name. After obtaining a free power connection for the farmland, Murugesan had reportedly modified the connection by fitting a capacitor to operate a three-phase motor even when the supply was single- or two-phase.
When lineman Vijay, 39, attached to the Tangedco Assistant Engineer’s Office in Kadayanallur, noticed the modification, he allegedly photographed it and threatened Murugesan with a ₹1.50 lakh fine by the Tangedco squad unless he paid ₹25,000 as bribe.
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