Rs 1.5 lakh solatium to official's family

Chennai, Feb 15 (UNI) The Tamil Nadu Government today announced financial assistance of Rs 1.50 lakh to the family of an official, whose alleged suicide in Dharmapuri recently triggered a political controversy.

An official release here said the assistance would be extended under Family Security Fund keeping in view the exemplary work of Assistant Director (Panchayat) Govindasamy, the situation that led to his death and his family condition.

The Government had also issued an order providing employment to his son as junior assistant in the Rural Development Department in Namakkal district, the release added.

The alleged suicide of Mr Govidasamy raised a political storm when AIADMK General Secretary J Jayalalithaa alleged that Local Administration Minister M K Stalin's proposed visit to Dharmapuri caused the death of the official.

The official was under stress as he was forced by District Collector to bear the expenses of the Minister's visit, she had said and demanded the resignation of Chief Minister M Karunanidhi and Mr Stalin.

Refuting her allegation, Mr Stalin said the official had not made any such charge in his suicide note and had only cited health condition and problems at office for the extreme step.

UNI