Enforcement Directorate Uncovers Alleged Cash for Jobs Scam in Tamil Nadu Government Ahead of Election

New Delhi:

The Enforcement Directorate has identified an alleged 'cash for jobs' scheme connected to appointments within the Tamil Nadu Municipal Administration and Water Supply department.

The investigation agency has called upon the state police to conduct a comprehensive inquiry after discovering what they describe as evidence of widespread bribery in the recruitment procedures.

NDTV sources reveal that the agency forwarded an extensive dossier exceeding 200 pages, containing names of individuals suspected of accepting bribes along with details about payment channels.

The suspected irregularities involve recruitment for more than 2,500 positions, including assistant and junior engineers, town planning officers, and sanitary inspectors. Sources indicate that successful candidates may have paid between Rs 25 lakh and Rs 35 lakh each to secure their positions.

Sources mention that the ED's investigation originates from a concurrent probe into a Chennai-based real estate group with connections to a current member of Chief Minister MK Stalin's cabinet. Investigators believe some funds generated by that enterprise may have been utilized to manipulate recruitment outcomes.

The appointments under scrutiny were announced in August by the Chief Minister, and Anna University, which administered the entrance examinations, might also face investigation.

Speaking on behalf of the state government, Municipal Administration Secretary D Karthikeyan informed NDTV he had not yet received the ED's communication. Nevertheless, he maintained that the recruitment process had been conducted with transparency and in accordance with regulations.

This development emerges months before an Assembly election, during which the opposition coalition – the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the Bharatiya Janata Party – has been targeting the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam regarding alleged improprieties in its administration.

These alleged improprieties include claims of multiple irregularities in TASMAC operations, involving "manipulation" in tender processes and "unaccounted" cash transactions worth Rs 1,000 crore through distillery companies. TASMAC is Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation Limited, a government-owned entity holding monopoly over liquor trade in the southern state.

The ruling DMK, however, has dismissed allegations of corruption in TASMAC and approached the Supreme Court to challenge the federal agency's investigation on jurisdictional grounds.

Earlier this month, the court questioned the ED on this matter.

READ | Top Court's 'What Happens To Federalism' Query In Tamil Nadu Liquor Case

"What happens to the federal structure? Are you not taking away the state government's right to investigate?" a bench led by Chief Justice BR Gavai asked the central agency, "Whenever you have a doubt ... 'is the state not investigating the offence'... can you go and do it yourself?"