The Madras High Court sharply criticized the DMK government in Tamil Nadu asking, “Why can’t the government that sells liquor set up a firecracker shop?” This remark was made during a recent case regarding establishing firecracker shops, highlighting concerns about the government’s inefficiency in this matter.
The court has mandated the Secretary of the Tourism Department to appear personally in contempt of court case due to violations of a ban on tendering activities for firecracker shops on Chennai Island grounds during Diwali. The Chennai Firecracker Agents Welfare Association filed the case, asserting that the court’s order had been disregarded.
The case was heard by Justice M. Dhandapani. During the proceedings, the petitioner’s attorney, Vijay Anand, argued that although the government stated on 15 October 2024, that no tender had been awarded, it had allegedly granted a tender on 14 October 2024 and received the funds on 10 October 2024. He pointed out that this information was posted on the Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation’s website, asserting that the tender process had already begun.
The judge then questioned why the government had previously stated that the tender had not yet been awarded. He also raised the point, about why can’t the government that sells liquor set up a firecracker shop? In response, the counsel for the government urged the court not to blame the government without cause, arguing for a balanced approach. The judge indicated that the focus seemed to be on ensuring government revenue from private entities and subsequently ordered the Secretary of the Tourism Department and the Managing Director of the Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation to appear in court personally. The hearing regarding the contempt case was then adjourned.
(With Inputs From Kumudam)
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