Begin typing your search...
CM refutes allegations of corruption in highway contracts, terms it political vendetta
CM refutes allegations of corruption in highway contracts, terms it political vendetta
By
migrator
migrator
Coimbatore
Speaking to media persons at the Coimbatore International Airport enroute to Salem, the CM said that the I-T department monitors and acts on companies that evade from paying tax.
The CM accused opposition parties of indulging in political vendetta with an intention to topple his government.
Palaniswami, who became the Highways Minister in former CM J Jayalalithaa’s cabinet in 2011, retained the portfolio even after becoming Chief Minister.
Replying to another query on allegations of his relatives bagging major road projects, the CM said, “I have relatives across Tamil Nadu. If it is seen that way, no one can do business.”
He further said, “my son’s brother-in-law’s father Ramalingam of Erode has been into civil and road construction contract business for over 35 years.”
“It was DMK, which gave him contracts worth over Rs 500 crore in 2010, which is much more than given by the AIADMK government. During DMK’s rule, ten tenders were given to him, while Duraimurugan, who was then PWD minister, gave eight contracts to a same person. Contracts were now awarded only after a e-tender and there is no scope for irregularities in them,” he said.
On the Salem-Chennai Expressway project, the CM said that 85 per cent of land acquisition works has been completed.
“Only a few people are unwilling and the government is holding talks to convince them,” he said.
When asked about recommending a CBI probe against Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam on allegations of amassing wealth disproportionate to known sources of income, the CM refused to comment citing it as a legal issue.
‘I-T raids have nothing to do with government’
A day after opposition leaders questioned Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami’s silence on allegations against him on awarding PWD and Highways contracts, Fisheries Minister D Jayakumar on Wednesday denied that one of the Chief Minister’s relatives was questioned by the I-T department.
Speaking to media persons here, the minister said there is an attempt to link the I-T raids with the government and promote a false campaign against the AIADMK party and government. Stating that Palaniswami’s relatives had their own business, he termed reports that one of his relatives was interrogated by the I-T officials as false and condemnable.
The contractors who were subject to the raids were executing the State government contracts for many years even during the earlier DMK regime. The companies have been bagging the contracts for years before the AIADMK government came to power, he said.
Contracts would be given to private companies and the companies would have to face Income Tax department action if they fail to pay appropriate tax. Those who evade payment of tax would face action by the I-T department, he said and asserted that there is no link between such raids and the government. Tamil Development Minister Mafoi K Pandiarajan also asserted that the raids had nothing to do with the government.
Vaiko, Left target EPS over raids
MDMK leader Vaiko on Wednesday backed the Union government on the income tax raids on firms close to the family of Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami, even while Left parties demanded Palaniswami’s resignation as Chief Minister citing the seizure of cash from State government offices under the CM’s control. “How can the Centre be blamed for the raids when crores of money have been seized? Seizure of large amount of money clearly proves the wrong doings. Why should the Centre exert pressure using IT raids?” Vaiko asked. People would lose faith in democracy if action is not taken on the guilty, he added.
Stalin demands probe by DVAC
Reiterating that it would be appropriate for Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami to resign owning moral responsibility for the I-T raids conducted at highways contractors’ houses, DMK working president MK Stalin on Wednesday said the truth would surface only if the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-corruption (DVAC) conducts a thorough probe in to the highway contract awarding issue immediately. Recalling the earlier I-T raids conducted during the incumbent AIADMK regime, Stalin, speaking to reporters on his return from London, that the highway tender case must be handed over to the DVAC and probed immediately before it is put to cold storage like the previous raids.
Visit news.dtnext.in to explore our interactive epaper!
Download the DT Next app for more exciting features!
Click here for iOS
Click here for Android
Next Story
