Appointment of Commission of Inquiry to Inquire the Allegation of Irregularities Like Excess Expenditure Causing Loss to the Exchequer and Deficiency of Construction of New Secretariat Complex at Omandurar Government Estate, Chennai Under the Commissions of Inquiry Act
The Government of Tamil Nadu, Public Department (Buildings), issued G.O. Ms. No. 530, Public (Buildings), dated 22 June 2011, appointing a single member Commission of Inquiry to investigate alleged financial, approval, delay and construction deficiencies in the New Secretariat Complex at Omandurar Government Estate, Chennai. The Commission, headed by retired Madras High Court Judge Justice S. Thangaraj, was also asked to examine possible lapses or abuse of position by government officials or public servants and submit its report within three months from publication of the notification.
What the notification does
The Government of Tamil Nadu, Public Department (Buildings), issued G.O. Ms. No. 530, Public (Buildings), dated 22 June 2011, under the Commissions of Inquiry Act, 1952. It appoints a Commission of Inquiry to investigate alleged irregularities in the construction of the New Secretariat Complex at Omandurar Government Estate, Chennai.
The Commission consists of one member, Justice S. Thangaraj, a retired Judge of the Madras High Court.
Matters covered by the inquiry
The Commission of Inquiry was directed to investigate the causes and circumstances connected with the following allegations:
- Excess expenditure.
- Irregularities causing loss to the public exchequer.
- Whether all statutory approvals and clearances were obtained.
- Inordinate delay in construction.
- Deficiencies in construction standards.
- Any lapse or abuse of position by government officials or public servants.
If the allegations were proved, the Commission was required to suggest suitable ways to prevent similar occurrences. It could also make any appropriate recommendations it considered fit.
Time limit and powers
The Commission of Inquiry was required to complete the inquiry and submit its report to the Government of Tamil Nadu within three months from the date on which the notification was published in the Tamil Nadu Government Gazette.
The Governor of Tamil Nadu also directed that the identified provisions of the Commissions of Inquiry Act, 1952, relating to the Commission's inquiry powers, would apply to the Commission.
Who may be affected
The notification directly concerns the construction of the government complex at Omandurar Government Estate and the conduct of government officials or public servants connected with that project. Contractors, consultants or others involved in the construction may also have an interest in the inquiry, although the notification does not identify any of them by name.
For an ordinary property buyer or owner, the notification does not announce a general change to land ownership, property registration, planning permission or building approval requirements. Its stated purpose is to establish an inquiry into one specific government construction project.
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Common questions
Does this notification change land or building rules for property owners in Tamil Nadu?
No general change is stated. The notification appoints an inquiry into alleged irregularities concerning the New Secretariat Complex at Omandurar Government Estate, Chennai.
Who was appointed to conduct the inquiry?
Justice S. Thangaraj, a retired Judge of the Madras High Court, was appointed as the single member of the Commission of Inquiry.
What construction issues was the Commission asked to investigate?
The Commission was asked to examine alleged excess expenditure, loss to the exchequer, statutory approvals and clearances, delay, construction deficiencies, and possible lapses or abuse of position by government officials or public servants.
How long did the Commission have to submit its report?
The Commission was required to complete the inquiry and submit its report within three months from publication of the notification in the Tamil Nadu Government Gazette.
