Against Corruption

Against Corruption :

Life is the battle for many but for Dr. Kalaignar battle itself is life. True to his spirits, he took it as a challenge.

Engineered and encouraged by external agents; Dr. MGR split the party (1972) for his vested interests, Never dejected by defeats nor elated by victories, Dr. Kalaignar continued his crusade for purity in public life.

In 1969 itself, the DMK Govt. adopted a resolution enjoining all MLAs. Ministers and the Chief Minister to file annual property statement in the Assembly.

Dr. Kalaignar made history (1973) when he dismissed the Corporation of Madras ruled by his own party as he found a prima facie charge of corruption against it.

Piloted by himself, the State Assembly passed (1973) the Tamil Nadu Public men criminal misconduct Bill to enquire into the allegation of corruption against the Chief Minister, other Ministers, MLAs and MLCs present or past. Tamil Nadu is the only State where the Chief Minister is also brought under its purview.

The irony is that MGR who claimed to fight corruption, repealed the Act (in 1977) adopted by Kalaignar. Worse followed; Miss Jayalalitha became the successor of MGR, rode to power (1991) on the sympathy wave created over the assasination of Rajiv Gandhi and for the next five years Tamilnadu reeled under rampant corruption at every level. Vulgar display of the day under the Govt. (mis) led by Miss. Jayalalitha. In the next general elections (1996) people overthrew her govt. and in a landslide victory, the DMK returned to power and Dr. Kalaignar took the saddle of state administration for the fourth term.

Right earnestly, he began implementing the election promises.

Elections, to the local bodies and Co-op. Societies were held after a gap of two decades. More powers and finance were allocated to them.

A new portfolio for Tamil Development is set up under a Cabinet Minister.

To fulfil its promise to the electrorate, special courts were constituted for the speedy trial of the cases against the former chief minister, her cabinet colleagues and the beauracrates concerned, for their abuse of power, loss to the state exchequer and amassing of wealth disproportionate to their known source of income. Miss. Jayalalitha is facing trials for possessing disproportionate wealth to the tune of Rs. 66.65 crores. Her futile attempts to delay Justice will fool nobody and Justice will triumph.

Cleansing the administration is not the only duty of a party in power. It has also the dual duty to provide a good Govt. The Govt. under Dr. Kalaignar is addressing other issues with a great sense of response and responsibility.

Dr. Kalaignar is the first chief Minister – perhaps the only Chief Minister, who has to his credit, the following unique achievements :

Setting up of slum clearance Board.

Supply of free electricity to all farmers.

Induction of single point commercial tax.

Raising the salary of State Govt. employees on a par with Central Govt. employees.

Implementation of the recommendations of the Fifth Pay Commission.

Providing transparency in administration.

Passing the right to information Act.

Introducing single window system of admission to professional colleges, which is hassle free, fool proof and provides on the spot settlement.

Setting up the first Law University in India.

Constructing "Samathuvapuram" (equality villages) (42 so far) where people of all castes and religions live together, promoting cummunal harmony.

Implementing Anna Renaissance Scheme to uplift the backward villages in every constituency.

"Namakku Naamae" (self help) programs to make people involve and participate in community development programs.

Introducing "Constituency Development fund" by which every legislator is provided Rs. 50 lakhs per annum to launch development schemes of his choice in his own constituency.

Raising of Rs. 50.43 crores of rupees towards Kargil fund, a feat no other Chief Minister could achieve.

Achieving a unique honour to Tamil as the first Indian language to have computer software based on a standardised encoding system and key-board design.

Conducting the State Ligislature on the pattern of the House of Commons, with equanimity and due honour to the opposition.

Achievements providing far-reaching benefits are :

Resolving the Kaveri water dispute – wh9ch created tension and ill between the States of Tamilnadu and Karnataka for more than two decades.

Bringing Krishna water to Chennai.

Desilting and cleaning the water ways, canals and lakes in Tamilnadu after a gap of more than 30 years, at a cost of Rs. 58 crores.