Minister denies Stalin’s charges on Smart City projects

In a strongly worded official release, Velumani said the Smart Cities mission was announced in 2015 and the Smart City Board was formed a year later. 

“The projects had ushered in several infrastructure benefits to the State. Stalin has conveniently suppressed the facts,” Velumani said.

“Stalin who had said that the Smart City mission is key to develop the infrastructure failed to acknowledge the contributions of the State government and the overall second rank achieved by TN in implementing the mission,” said Velumani.

The minister also said that under the smart city mission, Rs 1,000 crore had been allotted for 33 projects in Chennai. So far, 20 projects worth Rs 310 crore had been completed. 

“Multi-storeyed parking in T-Nagar, walking complexes in the city, modernised parks, classrooms, LED lamps, bicycle paths, rainwater canals and construction of footpaths were some of the projects completed under the mission in Chennai,” he said.

The minister also clarified that the tender process for all the projects were done as per law. No favour was shown to any of the companies. 

“During their previous tenure, the DMK flouted all the tender related rules and paved way for scientific corruption. When AIADMK came to power in 2011, e-tendering process was introduced by former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa, which ensured transparency in the process,” he said.

Velumani further said that the State government is functioning exceedingly well and Stalin, who could not tolerate the good name that the government is getting from the people for implementing pro-people policies, is placing baseless allegations on the government.