A Divison Bench comprising Chief Justice M Y Eqbal and Justice and T S Sivagnanam disposed a PIL challenging the government''s association with the NGO to conduct the festival after recording an affidavit by Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation (TTDC) stating that there was no financial transaction between the government and Tamil Maiyam. Its premises were recently raided by CBI in connection with the 2G spectrum scam.
TTDC also submitted that "the allegation that the events are being given to a private organisation is totally misconceived. The Trust only identifies and deploys the artists".
However, the bench said no advertisement issued by the government for popularising the festival should carry the name of ''Tamil Maiyam''.
Public Pleader Raja Kalifullah also submitted that ''there is absolutely no financial transaction between the Government of Tamil Nadu and Tamil Maiyam. The remuneration for artists is paid directly by TTDC".
The NGO, in which Chief Minister M Karunanidhi's daughter Kanimozhi, a DMK Rajya Sabha MP is a director, has announced it would conduct the annual festival between January 12-17.
The PIL said "public money is being spent for the conduct of Chennai Sangamam. When public funds are involved, the responsibility of incurring any expenditure towards Chennai Sangamam cannot be given to an organisation already under CBI scanner." PTI CORR RC
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