Chennai: The Tamil Nadu assembly has unanimously passed the Lokayukta Bill. The move comes after the Supreme Court set 10 July as the deadline for all States to form Lokayukta, an anti-corruption ombudsman organisation. Once appointed, Lokayukta cannot be dismissed or transferred by the government, and can only be removed by passing an impeachment motion by the State Assembly. The Lokayukta, along with the Income Tax Department and the Anti Corruption Bureau, mainly helps people publicise corruption among politicians and government officials.
Meanwhile, the session that began on 29 May came to a to close on Monday. Various announcements were made in this session under Rule 110, including celebrating Sivaji Ganesan's birth anniversary by the government and Rs 600,000 subsidy for Hajj pilgrims.
Protest against Chennai-Salem expressway
Speaking in the Assembly, DMK working president and Leader of Opposition in the House M K Stalin asked why the government is trying to suppress the people who are democratically protesting the Chennai-Salem greenfield expressway. He also said the government should find an alternate route for the project. Replying to this, Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami said 98 per cent farmers are willing to give their land for the project and only a few are opposing.
"'A few people are trying to stop the eight-way lane project by making false propagations. Government has not restricted the right of speech of anyone. Appropriate compensation will be given for those who are losing their land,” he said. He added that people's opinion is being sought at a common place just to avoid law and order problem. 'Similar projects were taken up during DMK's rule as well," he said.
SC notice to Speaker, OPS
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court issued notices to Speaker P Dhanapal and Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam in a case filed by DMK seeking the disqualification of 11 AIADMK MLAs who voted against the government during the floor test in February 2017.
