CHENNAI: Arappor Iyakkam has submitted a detailed memorandum to chief minister C Joseph Vijay seeking legal and administrative reforms to curb corruption, improve transparency and accountability, increase state revenue and recover losses caused by alleged irregularities.The organisation proposed a framework of “transparency + accountability + people participation – monopoly – discretion” to tackle corruption.On government tenders, Arappor claimed Tamil Nadu spends around Rs 2.5 lakh crore to Rs 3 lakh crore annually on infrastructure and procurement, and alleged that at least 20% of the amount is lost through tender irregularities.It estimated the resulting loss to the state at Rs 50,000 crore to Rs 60,000 crore a year.It sought mandatory end-to-end e-tendering for all government contracts above Rs 1 lakh and demanded that single-bid tenders, including those where only one bidder qualifies technically, be cancelled and re-tendered.Arappor also sought removal of discretionary requirements such as site inspection and machinery certificates for contractors, suggesting that eligibility be assessed based on turnover.It called for road works to be sanctioned based on the road roughness index to prevent repeated laying of roads that remain in good condition.On administrative reforms, the organisation sought a Right to Services Act that would guarantee delivery of government services within specified timelines and impose penalties on officials responsible for delays.It also called for strengthening the Lokayukta with independent investigative powers, autonomous appointments and financial independence.It proposed special courts for corruption cases, with FIRs to be registered within a month of complaints, chargesheets filed within three months and trials completed within six months.Arappor said its DVAC complaints over the past 10 years, supported by evidence, had highlighted alleged corruption worth more than Rs 70,000 crore.It urged the government to register FIRs on all eligible complaints listed in its memorandum and file chargesheets without delay in cases where investigations had been completed. It also sought recovery of losses caused to the state through corruption.To increase revenue, Arappor demanded repeal of G.O.(Ms) No. 3, alleging that it allowed those involved in illegal stone quarrying, including in Tirunelveli, to escape by paying low penalties without paying the actual value of minerals extracted.It also alleged that 50% of TASMAC sales go unaccounted for, causing an annual tax loss of Rs 25,000 crore, and sought end-to-end digital billing and auditing. It called for property guideline values to be aligned with market values to curb black money and stamp-duty losses.The organisation also sought recovery of losses caused by alleged illegal mineral and river-sand mining in accordance with court orders.For greater transparency, it proposed a unified public information portal and app containing details of government schemes, tenders and welfare programmes. It sought mandatory social audits and local participation before payments are released for public works, including road projects.Arappor also called for integrity and corruption-free governance training for government employees every six months.Arappor coordinator Jayaram Venkatesan urged the chief minister to consider the recommendations, act on pending DVAC complaints and introduce the necessary legal and administrative reforms to ensure corruption-free governance in Tamil Nadu.
