Kallakurichi Hooch Tragedy | Request Either CM Or Other Ministers To Visit Kalvarayan Hills, Practically See Plight Of People: Madras High Court
The Madras High Court on Wednesday remarked that the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu MK Stalin, Sports Development and Youth Welfare Minister Udayanidhi Stalin, and Adi Dravidar Welfare Minister N Kayalvizhi Selvaraj should visit the Kalvarayan hills and ascertain the situation prevailing in the area and the complaints of producing spurious liquor.
The bench of Justice SM Subramaniam and Justice C Kumarappan asked the Advocate General PS Raman to apprise the Ministers and inform them about the court's request.
“Our request is either the honourable Chief Minister or the Sports Minister Udhaynidhi Stalin can visit the hamlets along with the Adi Dravidar Welfare Minister and practically see the plight of these people.,” the court said.
The bench was hearing the suo motu writ petition initiated to look into the manufacture and sale of illicit arrack by the people of Kalvarayan hills in light of the recent Kallakurichi Hooch Tragedy. Previously, the court had remarked that when the Election Commission of India could go to the remotest location to ensure that the people exercise their franchise, it was the constitutional duty of the government to ensure that basic facilities and benefits of the welfare schemes reach the people.
On Wednesday, the court remarked that the people in the Kalvarayan region were given voting rights only in the year 1996 and wondered how the political parties had ignored the people in the area for long without giving them any benefits.
“They have not exercised voting rights till 1996. We don't know what the political parties were doing for so long and what the government was doing. Even now we have been informed that pregnant women have to travel long and carried on shoulders to reach the main road,” the court added.
The court also added that instead of a judge visiting the area, it would be better that the Chief Minister or other Ministers visit the area to bring about a difference and bring necessary changes in the livelihood of the people. The court further asked the state to develop an ecological park or bring any tourism-related development in the region to provide employment opportunities to the people and promote development.
When the AG informed the court that a detailed report was being filed, the court adjourned the case till 26th July (Friday) and asked the AG to apprise the CM and ministers by such time.
Case Title: Suo Motu Writ Petition v The Chief Secretary
Case No: WP 19030 of 2024