Chennai’s Secretariat has seen fresh murmurs after allegations surfaced that political assistants attached to ministers have begun “collecting” money by using inducements and pressure, according to sources.
The report comes after the TVK-led government formed a 34-member ministry, with coalition partners also represented. Chief Minister Vijay has repeatedly pledged an open, corruption-free administration in review meetings, cabinet discussions and public interactions.
Most ministers in the current cabinet are first-timers, and several are said to come from modest backgrounds. Expectations that the new team would deliver clean governance have, however, been shaken by claims about the conduct of some aides and officials.
Secretariat sources allege that certain assistants, along with district-level officials, have been persuading ministers by warning that the government could change at any time and urging them to “settle” quickly. They are also said to be citing upcoming by-elections in seven Assembly constituencies, arguing that district-in-charge ministers must mobilise large sums for campaign-related arrangements.
The same sources claim the alleged collections have expanded from transfers and promotions to tenders, and that in several departments contracts are being called without specifying estimated values, purportedly to facilitate such practices. Some ministers are said to fear repercussions if the Chief Minister becomes aware of these developments.
