Tamil Nadu: Over Rs 2,000 cr advance work orders

Chennai: Tamil Nadu Public Works Minister Aadhav Arjuna on Tuesday sought action against former DMK minister E V Velu for creating “unauthorised financial liabilities” to the state government by issuing work orders worth Rs 2,000 crore during 2026-2027 fiscal.

Moving a privilege motion against Velu, former Highways and PWD minister, in the Assembly, Arjuna accused the senior DMK leader of violating the House’s financial prerogatives by issuing the said work orders without prior legislative sanction.

He alleged that Velu approved Rs 2,000 crore for CRIDP projects for 2026-2027 without legislative approval or an Appropriation Act, and argued that this bypassed the Assembly’s authority, creating unauthorised financial liabilities.

He cited Government Order dated January 14, 2026, under the former regime, which granted advance administrative sanction for 80 infrastructure projects under the Comprehensive Road Infrastructure Development Programme (CIRDP) for the 2026–27 fiscal.

Raising the matter under Rule 225 of the Assembly, Arjuna asserted that approving future expenditure commitments prior to the Assembly voting on the relevant demands for grants violated standard procedure. He further said that the rights of the House have been directly violated by issuing these work orders.

“Obtaining approval retroactively after issuing orders does not make an illegal process legal. Without the prior sanction of this House, a liability of Rs 2,000 crore was loaded against future budget provisions in the expectation that the DMK would return to power” Arjuna said.

He demanded a formal enquiry into the subject. Submitting supporting documents to Speaker J C D Prabhakar, he urged that the matter be referred to the Assembly Privileges Committee for investigation and a comprehensive findings report.

Prabhakar confirmed that he has received the documents and will examine the matter before deciding on further action. “I have taken this for review.

I will examine this properly to see if it qualifies as a breach of privilege or what other action can be taken, and I will announce my decision after studying it,” the Speaker announced.

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The Hans India