Ministers facing graft charges should quit: CPM

Corruption charges were levelled against ministers, including Local Administration Minister SP Velumani and Health Minister Vijaya Baskar, and they should step down immediately, CPM Politburo member G Ramakrishnan said here.

Stating that Velumani has been accused of corruption charges, particularly in the award of contract to a French firm for water supply to the city, he said allegations were being levelled on a daily basis against many ministers. Vijaya Baskar is under the scanner in connection with the gutkha scam.

In view of the continued opposition to the Sterlite unit in Thoothukudi district, the government should prevent the alleged bid (by the company) to operate its second unit, he said.

The DMK has filed complaints alleging corruption against Chief Minister Edappadi Palaniswami, his deputy O Panneerselvam, Velumani and Power Minister P Thangamani with the DVAC and moved the Madras High Court alleging inaction by the vigilance authorities.

Ramakrishnan, meanwhile, flayed the Coimbatore Corporation for its decision to set up kiosks to sell drinking water to the public. He said a private firm has been engaged by the civic body to extract groundwater and sell it to the public. “Water should never be treated as a commodity. It shouldn’t be commercialised by the government to make profit,” he said. The Coimbatore Corporation has planned to set up kiosks in around 100 spots, in an area of 300 sq ft, to sell water. “With this, the corporation will close 1,500 public taps. It is unwelcoming for people to depend on private firms for water. This project should be scrapped at any cost,” Ramakrishnan said.

Pointing to the forecast by the Meteorological department warning heavy rain, Ramakrishnan said Tamil Nadu should learn its lessons from Kerala and take all precautionary measures.