M.KRISHNASAMY Vs. THE STATE OF TAMIL NADU

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THE dispute pertains to the Drought Relief Fund of Rs. 25.27 crores sanctioned by the State Government to six taluks in Erode District. The present Public Interest Litigation seeks to raise the issue of a large amount of this relief of Rs. 18.19 crores being made available only to the native taluk of the fifth respondent -Minister.

(2.) A controversy arose on the last date of hearing, about the representations made to different entities i.e., the Collector, the Hon'ble Chief Minister and the Hon'ble Governor. Learned Advocate General has pleaded that there were differently framed representations made to three entities, which were not identical, and in the representation made to the Hon'ble Governor, there were, in fact, accolades paid to the Minister for the work he had done. It is in these circumstances, that we had called upon the petitioner to file an affidavit which has since been filed.

(3.) LEARNED Advocate General submits on the basis of the affidavit filed, that the matter has been looked into and recoveries made from the persons, who ought not to have been the beneficiaries. Thus, the fact that certain persons not entitled to the benefit have, in fact, been benefited is not disputed. It is, however, stated that Perundurai Taluk was heavily affected by drought and therefore, required heavy financial assistance compared to other drought affected areas in Erode District and that the allocation of Rs. 18 crores to the said taluk was made after careful consideration of all relevant records.