TN Govt refutes AIADMK charge against Speaker

Chennai, Apr 18 (UNI) The Tamil Nadu Government today refuted the main opposition AIADMK's charge that Assembly Speaker R Avudaiyappan had misused his power by favouring a local partyman to get a licence for selling eatables in a government-run TASMAC liquor shop in Tirunelveli district.

Raising the issue during zero hour in the Assembly, Deputy Leader of the Opposition O Panneerselvam said the Speaker had directed his personal assistant M Venkatesan to write a letter to TASMAC manager to give the licence to one M Rabeek Khader Mohideen, a DMK youth wing secretary.

Stating the Speaker had exceeded his limit of power and failed in his duty by sending a recommendation letter in his official letterhead, he urged the Government to give an explanation on the issue.

Responding to the charge, Electricity Minister Arcot N Veerasamy said as per Assembly rules, any complaint against the Speaker should be given only in writing. If the opposition wanted, they could move a no-confidence motion against the Speaker, he added.

The recommendation letter was not sent in the Speaker's letterhead as charged by the AIADMK, he said and added that though Mr Mohideen was given the licence based on the PA's letter, it was cancelled later.

As one Mr Kani Annavi quoted a higher amount in the bid, the licence was given to him, following which Mr Mohideen had moved court, the Minister added.

The Speaker had not signed letter in favour of anyone and had not misused his power, he asserted.

On the contrary, during the previous AIADMK regime, former Speaker and late AIADMK leader K Kalimuthu awarded contract to a person to run a canteen on the premises of MLAs hostel at a very low price, causing financial loss to the Government, he added.

Earlier, Congress Whip S Peter Alphone said Assembly rules had conferred special powers on the Speaker and there were certain procedures to be followed to raise any complaint against him.

The House should not record the AIADMK's charge against the Speaker, he urged.

PMK floor leader G K Mani also expressed a similar view.

UNI