Chennai: A petition has been filed in the Supreme Court on Friday seeking directions to the Ministry of Panchayati Raj and Ministry of Finance to release local body funds to Tamil Nadu that have been withheld since 2016.
Advocate CR Jaya Sukin has filed the petition stating that last local body elections in the state took place in 2011 and from October 2016, the local body seats of Gram Panchayats, corporations, municipalities and town panchayats have been lying vacant.
The Central Government has also backed the Ministry of Panchayati Raj for not releasing funds as elections have not been conducted. The petitioner contended that there is no law which prohibited the centre from releasing the funds.
PIL in SC seeking release of Tamil Nadu's local bodies funds
In view of the local body seats in Tamil Nadu lying vacant since 2016 and funds not been released, a PIL has been filed in Supreme Court seeking the release of the fund. The petitioner also claimed that there is no law which allows the Centre to withheld the funds.
PIL in SC seeking Tamil Nadu's local funds releasePIL in SC seeking Tamil Nadu's local funds releasePIL in SC seeking Tamil Nadu's local funds release
It is happening because of 'delimitation process and the long legal battle which is politically motivated'," the plea stated.
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"Entire Tamil Nadu people in urban and rural areas have been suffering without basic amenities such as water supply, sanitation, waste management, street lights, health, and various utilities. The Union Government had stopped releasing funds to local bodies of the state from the year 2016 for not holding elections," read the plea.
Petitioner said that not releasing funds is discriminatory and violation of Article 14,16 and 21. The people of Tamil Nadu cannot be denied legitimate claims due to administrative lapse and errors. The petitioner also sought permission from the top court to appear in person for arguing the case.