Chennai, Aug 25:
Tamil Nadu Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HRCE) Minister Ramesh has accused former minister P.K. Sekar Babu of closely monitoring the department’s activities out of fear that irregularities from the previous government could be uncovered.
Speaking to reporters at Tiruchirappalli airport, Ramesh said the government was committed to allowing democratic debate in the Assembly and responding to questions raised by opposition members. He also criticised some former ministers for allegedly using inappropriate language during Assembly proceedings.
Responding to Sekar Babu’s repeated claims that he had committed no wrongdoing, Ramesh alleged that the former minister was keeping a watch on developments in the HRCE department because he feared that mistakes could be exposed.
“That fear itself is the first victory for our government,” Ramesh said, alleging that several announcements made by the previous government for publicity had not translated into actual projects.
The minister said his department had reviewed such projects and found that several announced works had not been started. He cited plans for multi-level parking facilities and luxury accommodation for devotees as examples and said some of these projects had subsequently been cancelled.
Ramesh also said the government was taking continuous steps to address irregularities in temples and stressed that major changes could not be achieved within 100 days.
“Government is not cinema; everything cannot be changed overnight,” he said.