Ruling, opposition members spar over TNPSC issue

CHENNAI: Members of the opposition AIADMK and ruling DMK briefly engaged in an argument in the Assembly during a motion to draw the government’s attention to the issue of alleged irregularities in TNPSC group II and IV recruitment.

Moving the motion during the Zero Hour in the House, Leader of Opposition Edappadi K Palaniswami on Monday urged the state government to inquire and take appropriate action on the alleged irregularities in recruitment of 700 persons who took the TNPSC exams from the same centre in Karaikudi. Speaking on the motion, Tamizhaga Valvurimai Katchi leader T Velmurugan, who was also among the members who moved the motion, said that several persons from other states were recruited by the TNPSC owing to a GO issued by the previous government.

Objecting to Velmurugan’s charge, Palaniswami said that he had only sought to draw the government’s attention to the current TNPSC recruitment issue and he would also level allegations if they continued to blame the previous government.

When Speaker M Appavu clarified that the statements of both the LoP and Velmurugan were placed on record, Palaniswami wondered how 700 persons from the same coaching centre would clear the exams without the government and officials being party to it. Leader of the House Duraimurugan intervened during the debate and said that allegations could not be levelled only during the question hour and it was allowed during zero hour debates.

Joining the issue, Chief Minister MK Stalin insisted that the LoP must first produce evidence. Holding that Velmurugan had also approached him to raise the issue, Speaker Appavu put the issue to rest by wondering if other members should not raise the same issue?

CPM’s ‘Nagai’ Maali, PMK’s Arul and CPI’s Thalli Ramachandran also spoke on the motion.

Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Kerala do not hold budget sessions for more than 12 days

Palanivel Thiaga Rajan, Finance Minister