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Raghupathy Commission spent Rs 4.11 crore so far, TN govt tells court

After the stay on functioning of the commission by Madras high court in March 2015, it spent Rs 2 crore.

Chennai: The state government has informed Madras high court that Justice Raghupathy Commission, constituted by the AIADMK government to investigate alleged irregularities in construction of New Secretariat building at Omandurar government estate by the then DMK government, has spent Rs 4.11 crore so far.

After the stay on functioning of the commission by Madras high court in March 2015, it spent Rs 2 crore. Advocate General, Vijay Narayan, appearing for the state government, informed Justice S.M. Subramaniam's court on Wednesday while hearing petitions filed by former CM and DMK chief M. Karunanidhi challenging the functions of the commission.

Advocate General filed the report after the judge on July 26 asked what was the need for inquiry commissions when they do not deliver any results.

The judge also asked the state government to detail how many commission of inquiries are functioning in Tamil Nadu and fund and staffs allotted to these commissions.

The AG, on Wednesday, said that five inquiry commissions, headed by retired HC judges, were functioning in the state since 2010. Besides, Raghupathy Commission, four Commissions - Justice Singaravelu Commission, Justice Rajeswaran Commission, Justice Arumugaswamy Commission and Justice Aruna Jagadeesan Commission - are functioning.

Justice Singaravelu Commission was constituted in connection with death of Ilavarasan. The commission would submit its report by end of August. Justice Raghupathy Commission had been stayed by the High Court in March 2015. Justice Rajeswaran Committee has been constituted for cases related to jallikattu, Justice Arumugaswamy Commission to probe the death of former Chief Minister J.Jayalalithaa and Justice Aruna Jagadeesan Commission for May 22 Thoothukudi police firing.

When AG mentioned about the commission spent Rs 2 crore after the HC stay the judge asked whether it was not a waste expenditure. The judge observed that "the government has not effectively followed the functioning of the commissions and when the expenditure is made from government exchequer is going waste the court cannot be a mere spectator."

AG submitted that on Rs 2.06 crore spent on Justice Singaravelu Commission, Rs 1.47 crore on Justice Rajeswaran Commission and Rs 27.75 lakh for Justice Aruna Jagadeesan Commission.

The judge adjourned the mater to Thursday for further hearing.

( Source : Deccan Chronicle. )
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