In an interesting development, political commentator Savukku Shankar filed a formal complaint with the Directorate of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption, calling for a thorough investigation into alleged corruption within the state’s Transport Department. The complaint centres around DMK Transport Minister SS Sivasankar and his aide’s alleged involvement in the operation of highway restaurants that cater to Tamil Nadu’s Transport Corporation buses.
Speaking to the press after filing the complaint, Shankar revealed that the Tamil Nadu Government’s Transport Department conducts a biennial (every 2 years) auction, allowing restaurants along the state’s highways to provide food and snacks to Transport Corporation bus driver, conductor and passengers. To participate in these auctions, highway restaurant owners are required to submit tender applications to the Tamil Nadu Government’s State Express Transport Corporation (SETC).
Addressed the media after filing complaint in DVAC against Transport Minister SS Sivasankar. pic.twitter.com/MAQnCDG84D
— Savukku Shankar (@SavukkuOfficial) October 12, 2023
He explained that the tender process involves restaurant owners paying a fee to the Transport Corporation for buses to stop at their establishments. The government typically awards the tender to the highest bidder, and the selected restaurant owners pay this predetermined fee each year. During the previous administration led by AIADMK, these fees were set at ₹102 for Express Transport Corporation buses and ₹62 for regular Transport Corporation buses.
It has come to light that, after Minister Rajakannappan assumed office, the Transport Corporation reduced these fees from ₹102 to ₹75 for Express Transport Corporation buses and from ₹62 to ₹50 for regular buses. Allegedly, the remaining amount of ₹12 per bus for the former and ₹55 for the latter was diverted as bribes to Rajakannappan.
Similar practices continued under the current administration. For instance, Express Transport Corporation bus fees were reduced from ₹102 to ₹75, with the difference allegedly being funnelled as a bribe. When SS Sivashankar took over as Transport Minister, new tenders were floated for the highway restaurants. Shankar alleges that one Thangavel reportedly acted as a broker for Louis Kathiravan, Minister Sivasankar’s PA who is allegedly the proxy/benami for the minister.
Thangavel allegedly informed restaurant owners that he could arrange meetings with the minister to secure their tenders. He reportedly advised them to register for tenders at specific prices he indicated. Additionally, Thangavel is alleged to have accepted bribes electronically through Google Pay, with various restaurant owners reportedly paying amounts ranging from ₹20,000 to ₹50,000 and potentially more. He alleges that this person has received bribes electronically quoting the minister’s name.
Savukku said that even though this was an e-tender, all 29 hotel owners submitted their application from the same IP address which he says is from a hotel named Noor Malah near a toll plaza. He also alleges that the tender price was inflated and registered just a day before the tender closing date by the benami. More information regarding this aspect of the case is expected to surface soon.
In his complaint, Shankar insists that corruption has tainted the tender process for government buses stopping at highway department restaurants, and he urges the authorities to take decisive action. He names Minister Sivashankar, his PA Louie Kathiravan, hotel owner Shankar, and his assistant Thangavel as individuals who should be investigated under the Anti-Corruption/anti-bribery laws.
Did all the channels cover this serious allegation against the transport minister ? They don’t find this news worthy ? Btw gpay ? Seriously 😂 pic.twitter.com/IFnpahYdCv
— karthik gopinath (@karthikgnath) October 12, 2023
During the press conference, Shankar said he had filed complaints against DMK Liquor Minister Senthil Balaji, he also filed complaints on allowing illegal early morning shows for films like Varisu and Thunivu against Chief Minister Stalin and Sports Minister, Udhayanidhi Stalin. He accused the Anti-Corruption Department of working in favour of the ruling party and pointed out the fact that this was said by the Madras High Court’s prior scrutiny of the department’s actions in various cases. He also pledged to take legal action if the Anti-Corruption Department does not pursue a case against Minister Sivashankar and his associates.
(With inputs from Savukku Online)
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