This Govt Clerk in Kerala Refuses to Take Bribes, and His Anti-Corruption Stance Is Winning Hearts

His name is Abdul Saleem Palliyalthody. The government pays him ₹811 a day to serve the country and he will not take a cent over that stipulated amount from anybody else, especially as a bribe, to do his duty.

Abdul, a clerk at Angadipuram gram panchayat office Malappuram district of Kerala, takes his job very seriously. Despite the fact that public service offices have often become synonymous with charges of bribery, Saleem has become famous in the area for outright refusal of bribes of any kind in the three years he has served in the office.

At his desk, he has a plaque that reads in Malayalam, “The government pays me ₹811 a day (₹24,340 a month) to serve you. If you are not happy with my service, please tell me about it.”

Image for representation. Photo source: Wikimedia 

The notice get updated whenever his pay get revised by the government, of course

At the end of every interaction, he asks people to rate his service and is enthusiastic for any feedback. And he is a well-known figure in the region for some times going out of his way to offer help to anyone who comes to the office.

A passion towards service and a job well done, is what pushes Saleem to go the extra mile. Speaking to The Hindu, he humbly notes, “Service is the essence of any government job. People coming to us for different things should not return empty-handed. They should return satisfied.”

You may also like: How a Zero Rupee Note Can Help You Fight Corruption and Bribery in India!

And, despite having partial polio, he makes sure he doesn’t miss a single one of his field duties. And in the process continues to inspire both his peers and the general public with his dedication and fortitude.

Forced to pay a bribe? You can report your experience to I Paid A Bribe organisation. You can also use the platform to talk about honest officers you have met along the way.

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