CHENNAI: Hundred days may be too short to pass a definitive verdict on whether the TVK-led coalition government under Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay has changed Tamil Nadu’s political culture. But in a relatively short period of time, the government has managed to create a perception that eliminating or substantially reducing corruption at the highest levels of administration may, in fact, be possible.
Truckers’ associations, representatives of the mining and dairy sectors, real estate players, PWD and highways contractors and others engaged in government works say demands for ‘cuts’ at the higher levels of administration have reduced significantly since the TVK government assumed office on May 10.
A large section of officials is now hesitant to demand ‘cut payments’ from contractors, mainly because ministers themselves are not allegedly demanding money. “Eliminating corruption at the higher level will certainly help the government reduce expenditure, particularly on asset creation projects. But if people are still forced to pay money at taluk offices, registration offices, TNEB offices, police stations, corporation offices, hospitals and other government establishments, what purpose does the change serve?” a department secretary told TNIE.
The government needs to move beyond curbing corruption at the political level and bring in structural changes that ordinary people can experience. “Only when a common man begins to experience the change in the system will the chief minister’s claim truly bear fruit,” the secretary said.
Officials admitted that bribery complaints related to departmental promotions and transfers of government officials also significantly reduced under the TVK government. As a result, there is less pressure on officials to demand money from the public.
Presence-less property registration, faster approval of high-rise buildings by the CMDA, simplification of procedures for issuing community and other certificates, and a dedicated WhatsApp number to lodge corruption complaints are among the measures that could make a difference if implemented effectively.
“There are several loopholes in the system that can be exploited to make money. But most ministers have not yet developed the communication skills or political understanding required to have such uncomfortable conversations with officials. That has, in a way, allowed upright officers appointed as secretaries and heads of departments to bring about changes within their departments,” said an IAS officer recently posted as a head of department.
However, some retired officials caution that excessive reliance on the bureaucracy could prove counterproductive in the long run. “At present, it appears to be a government largely run by bureaucrats. However, we can already see a section of officials who are genuinely loyal to Chief Minister Vijay,” a retired officer from the cooperative department said.
The government’s challenge is not limited to cleaning up administration. It has also inherited a massive fiscal burden. Declaring that the state’s total debt stood at around Rs 13 lakh crore, the Vijay government has promised to strengthen the state’s fiscal position while continuing welfare and populist schemes. It has announced 200 units of free electricity for consumers using up to 500 units.
It has also prioritised spending over Rs 1,500 crore this year for Thaimaman Thanga Mothiram Thittam, Annan Seer Thittam and other welfare schemes. The latest addition being cars announced for all MLAs, which the DMK and a few others have denounced. Later, the TVK too stated that their MLAs who already have cars would not opt for government vehicles.
The TVK, which had promised transparency in governance, has started the live telecast of Assembly proceedings. The move has received widespread appreciation, with lakhs of people watching the proceedings.
However, Vijay’s reluctance to interact with the press, keeping the appointments of Officers on Special Duty under wraps, and restricting media access to functions attended by him have raised questions over the TVK government’s approach to public accountability. The media also was not permitted to cover select government functions attended by the CM — including the first investment conclave and the distribution of job appointment orders to the kin of Karur stampede victims.
The continuation of complaints over police excesses against the public, including custodial deaths in police and judicial custody, remains a major concern for the government. Complaints of crimes against women and children have also kept the government on the defensive, particularly as the party had targeted the previous DMK government on these issues.
Changes in the tendering process, an IAS officer said, have helped break the monopoly of contractors. Not just the ministers, even the new players in the field are unfamiliar with the old ways of rigging the system and paying bribes, the officer said
