Madras HC to Tamil Nadu government: File list of functioning commissions
Chennai: Stating that enquiry commissions fails to provide required results, the Madras High court has directed the State Government to file a list of enquiry commissions functioning in Tamil Nadu and about the funds and staffs allotted.
Justice SM Subramaniam, before whom a petition filed by former Chief Minister and DMK chief M.Karunanidhi came up for hearing, has raised several questions to the Additional Advocate General Mani Shanker and directed him to file an affidavit with the details stating how many Commissions are functioning and how many commissioners functioned over the years.
The matter pertains to the construction of the Secretariat in the Omandurar government estate by the then DMK government. After the change of government, the AIADMK government converted the complex into a multi-speciality hospital.
Alleging large-scale corruption and irregularities in the construction, in 2015 the government appointed the Justice Ragupathy Commission to probe into the allegation.
When the matter came for hearing Justice SM Subramaniam said the Commissions headed by retired Judges of High Court are functioning years together and without yielding any result and if this situation continues the people will loose their faith in all these Commissions.
The judge said the Court will not be a mere spectator if the tax amount of the people is wasted on all these the Judge and the people will think that all these commissions are only an eyewash.
The judge also sought details of the Staff, Bungalows, government vehicles being used by these commissions and the expenditure incurred on all these Commissions. The Judge asked the AAG to give the details by the afternoon.
Later, Advocate General Vijay Narayan sought for time to file the affidavit with the details. The Judge said there are materials to order probe by DVAC and to initiate criminal proceedings. The Commission proceedings was already stayed by the High Court in 2015. In all the corruption related matter what is the need of appointment of Enquiry Commissions when there is a DVAC.
Advocate General Vijay Narayan submitted that he will file the reply with all the details. The Judge posted the matter for further hearing to August 1. Earlier, on July 18, the judge condemned the government for continuously allocating funds to the commission of inquiry appointed to probe into the alleged irregularities in construction of the new Secretariat building, which was stayed by the court in 2015.
