Chennai: Chief minister C Joseph Vijay continued with his war cry against corruption on Thursday while presiding over the second cabinet meeting since TVK formed the govt.Vijay reiterated his warning against corruption in govt departments and said that anyone found involved in irregularities would face severe action.He directed ministers to ensure that their departments remained clean and public services were delivered without fear or favour.“I did not come here merely for a five-year term. People have placed their trust in us, and we must live up to their expectations. Our promise of clean governance should be reflected in action,” a minister quoted the chief minister as telling the meeting.The chief minister expressed concern about the growing trend of filming and sharing reels on school and college campuses and directed ministers to take steps to curb the practice.The directive comes amid criticism over videos shot inside educational institutions by TVK functionaries. Opposition parties had targeted the govt alleging that TVK thrives on “reels culture”.Briefing reporters after the meeting, electricity and law minister R Nirmalkumar said the cabinet discussed the upcoming budget. The discussions were part of the routine review process ahead of preparing the state budget, he said.Responding to the recent controversy over the custodial death of a disabled man in Nagercoil, Nirmalkumar said the govt adopted a zero-tolerance approach towards custodial deaths and would take stringent action against all those responsible. “Ministers will meet the victim’s family and extend necessary support,” he added.Nirmalkumar also accused DMK and AIADMK of working in tandem with BJP to ‘destabilise’ TVK govt. He alleged that efforts to undermine administration had been under way for nearly 50 days, since TVK assumed office.Regarding the controversy surrounding a 14-acre parcel of land belonging to the Palani mutt, the law minister denied allegations of the involvement of any TVK leader, and assured that a thorough investigation would be conducted.
