The All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) has demanded disciplinary action against Finance Secretary V. Candavelou for dishonouring an elected Chief Minister. Addressing a press conference on Monday, AIADMK leader in the Legislative Assembly A. Anbalagan said the Finance Secretary’s statement that he would not implement a standing order issued by the Chief Minister amounted to insulting a constitutional position.
If the same situation had occurred in any other State, the plight of the officer would have been different.
‘Sudden U-turn’
The government should take immediate action against Mr. Candavelou, he said. Lashing out at the Secretary’s recent note, the AIADMK leader said the same officer had followed the expenditure management mentioned in the standing order issued by the Chief Minister during the tenure of the N.R. Congress.
Mr. Candavelou was the Finance Secretary when N. Rangasamy was the Chief Minister. The files processed by Mr. Rangasamy adopting the same financial management was cleared by him, Mr. Anbalagan said.
“No one knows why he has made a sudden U-turn,” he said.
Coming down heavily on Lt. Governor Kiran Bedi, the AIADMK leader said the she was using officials to settle scores with the government. Ms. Bedi had pulled all the senior officials to her side in the power struggle against the government. Mr. Anbalagan said the LG had not visited the places affected by Cyclone Gaja at Karaikal.
“But even before the government announced any relief, she was asking for production of proof to release any compensation. It was uncalled for at a time of tragedy,” he said.
The AIADMK leader also criticised the Chief Minister and Revenue Minister for not making any announcement on the damage or about the compensation.
The government had failed to respond with relief measures, he said. Several places are still without power supply and it will take several days for fishermen to venture into sea as their boats and other equipment have sustained severe damage, Mr. Anbalagan added.
Complaint to Speaker
Congress legislator T. Djeamourthy has lodged a complaint with Speaker V. Vaithilingam on breach of privilege by Finance Secretary V. Candavelou.
Mr. Candavelou had on Sunday issued a note stating his inability to implement a standing order proclaimed by the Chief Minister on the procedures to be followed on getting approval for grant-in aid.