AIADMK MP moves court against Minister, officials

By Our Special Correspondent

CHENNAI, JAN. 2. An AIADMK M.P has moved a trial court in Chennai seeking penal action against the Fisheries department officials and the Fisheries Minister on allegations of corruption pertaining to a housing project for fisherfolk in Pattukkottai.

In his complaint filed under Sec.200 of Cr.P.C, Mr. G. Murugesan, Tenkasi MP, said the fishing harbour project zonal executive engineer's office under the Fisheries department at Thanjavur implemented a free housing scheme. An Assistant Executive Engineer (AEE) at Pattukkottai had allegedly flouted procedures for purchase of cement, iron and steel between January 1997 and February 1999.

The materials were never found and no construction ever began, though materials worth Rs. 1.67 crores were allegedly purchased. Another AEE, posted subsequently, wrote in January 2000 to the EE, stating that there was a shortage of materials at the project site and that the previous officer had not settled the account.

Arguing before the Principal Judge, Chennai City Civil Court, the AIADMK MP, Mr. Thalavai Sundaram and counsel Mr. Manoj Pandian, alleged that the Minister, the Fisheries Director and Joint Director had obtained pecuniary advantage to allow the AEE concerned, Mr. S. Ganesan, to go on voluntary retirement.

However, the prosecution contended that the AEE concerned was not allowed to go on voluntary retirement, but an FIR had been registered in April 2000 against the official, regarding the allegations. But since then the officer had been absconding.

Recording an undertaking given by the City PP that the officer would be arrested in the next few days, the Principal Judge, Mr. S. Ashok Kumar, posted the case for January 16, when the prosecution should file the case diary of the FIR.

Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Section  : Southern States
Previous : Nedumaran to move HC against G.O. on prisoners
Next     : Two feared dead in flash floods