HC orders issue of notice to spl govt pleader

: Madras High Court today ordered issuing of notice to Special Government Pleader, enabling him to file a counter on a petition alleging irregularities against Tiruvarur Collector C Natarajan in implementation of several government schemes.
A Division Bench, comprising Justices Chitra Venkatraman and K B K Vasuki, directed the Special Government Pleader to file his reply within two weeks.
A M Raja, state president of Rural development department SC/ST officers association, in his petition alleged there was financial mismanagement by the Collector in implementation of schemes like Pradhan Mantri Adarsh Gram Yojana (PMAGY), scheme for increasing ground water level.
He alleged that the Collector had procured low quality pipes without calling for tenders for implementing the ground water level increasing scheme, "in which he might have received huge amount."

He also charged Natarajan with having purchased solar lamps for panchayats through a private party in Coimbatore at the rate of Rs 40,000 though these were available for Rs 20,000.
By purchasing 254 solar lamps, he had incurred a loss of Rs 50,80,000 to the government, he alleged, adding that the Collector had not followed transparency in tenders.

He made similar charges against the Collector in drinking water scheme and various other projects, which he said resulted in a huge revenue loss to the exchequer.
Raja contended that even after a representation to Chief Minister's Special Cell and Home Secretary, there was no response.

He further prayed for a direction to constitute a high level committee to probe the irregularities committed by Tiruvarur Collector.