The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : PIL petition against stopping relief, welfare measures

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Mar 17, 2006

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

PIL petition against stopping relief, welfare measures

Special Correspondent

"Model code never prohibits implementation of schemes"

CHENNAI : A public interest litigation petition seeking to forbear the State Government authorities from discontinuing or abruptly stopping relief measures for tsunami and flood victims, besides the free dhoti saree scheme, has been filed in the Madras High Court.

The First Bench comprising Chief Justice A.P. Shah and Justice Prabha Sridevan, before which the petition filed by the Saidapet Podhu Nala Sangam secretary P. Petersigamany, ordered notices to the Chief Election Commissioner of India, Chief Electoral Officer here, Chief Secretary, Special Commissioner and Commissioner for Revenue Administration and the Chennai District Election Officer.

According to the petitioner, after the notification of the Assembly elections on March 1, authorities incharge of distribution of tsunami and flood relief measures, as also the free dhoti and saree scheme for Pongal, had abruptly stopped the implementation. He also alleged that various district administrations had written to their subordinate officials asking them to stop distribution of these materials in view of the declaration of poll schedule.

"Authorities incharge of implementation of welfare schemes are under the impression that they should not proceed with the schemes in view of the poll notification... The Model Code of Conduct never prohibits the implementation of the schemes already announced and which are in the process of implementation, that too for the people affected by natural calamities," K. Chandru and K.S. Arumugam, counsel for the petitioner, submitted in court.

The entire attitude of the authorities is "most illegal, arbitrary and against the principles of natural justice," the petitioner said. He prayed for a direction to the respondents to continue relief and rehabilitation schemes, which were already announced and under process.

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