The Hindu: Madurai: Monday, 23 March 2026.
A Madurai-based social
activist raised doubts over authenticity of the official documents claiming to
have spent ₹13.74 crore from the Mineral Resources Fund over the last seven
years in Poochampatti village panchayat falling under the Vadipatti taluk.
The social activist Gnanasekaran under section 2 (j) (The right to access information held by public authorities, including inspecting work/documents/records, taking notes or certified copies, taking certified samples of material, and obtaining information in electronic form or printouts) of the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005, applied for a direct inspection of government records.
Accompanied by Amutha, Madurai district coordinator of the Makkal Pathai Movement, and protected by an officer from the Vadipatti Police Station, he conducted the audit at the panchayat office on Friday.
Mr. Gnanasekaran said, “Although documents were requested for the period from 2005 to 2026, crucial records prior to 2019 were missing from the office.”
Records for the seven-year period from 2019 to 2026 showed a total credit of ₹13,74,09,921, (or ₹13.74 lakh) which was also recorded as fully expended, he said.
“Though the officials initially attempted to block us from photographing the documents, but after we cited Tamil Nadu Information Commission regulations, we were allowed to click photographs of the documents,” he added.
The activist argued that if nearly ₹13.74 crore had been utilised effectively, Poochampatti would today be a pioneering modern model village in Tamil Nadu.
“Every internal road would have high-quality tar or cement with integrated drainage; solar street lights; Schools would feature smart classrooms and e-libraries; 24-hour modern Primary Health Centre would be operational; ponds would be desilted, raising the water table, and modern markets for farmers would be established,” he said.
Contrary to the records, the residents expressed disappointment over the current state of the village. They said, “Many areas still have dirt tracks that turn into muddy pools during rain, making movement impossible. Women still struggle daily for water, with some areas receiving supply only once a week.”
They complained that the drainage systems were non-existent, leading to sewage stagnation. Medical and educational facilities remain severely underdeveloped.
“The crores is spent on paper, but we are still fighting for the basic survival,” said Mr. Gnanasekaran.
He said there was now a growing demand for a high-level, transparent inquiry to track exactly where the ₹13.74 crore was diverted and to take strict action against the responsible officials.
A senior district administration official said first they would have to look into the veracity of the allegations.
“Following a complaint from the activist and the village residents, necessary action would be initiated,” he said.
The social activist Gnanasekaran under section 2 (j) (The right to access information held by public authorities, including inspecting work/documents/records, taking notes or certified copies, taking certified samples of material, and obtaining information in electronic form or printouts) of the Right to Information (RTI) Act, 2005, applied for a direct inspection of government records.
Accompanied by Amutha, Madurai district coordinator of the Makkal Pathai Movement, and protected by an officer from the Vadipatti Police Station, he conducted the audit at the panchayat office on Friday.
Mr. Gnanasekaran said, “Although documents were requested for the period from 2005 to 2026, crucial records prior to 2019 were missing from the office.”
Records for the seven-year period from 2019 to 2026 showed a total credit of ₹13,74,09,921, (or ₹13.74 lakh) which was also recorded as fully expended, he said.
“Though the officials initially attempted to block us from photographing the documents, but after we cited Tamil Nadu Information Commission regulations, we were allowed to click photographs of the documents,” he added.
The activist argued that if nearly ₹13.74 crore had been utilised effectively, Poochampatti would today be a pioneering modern model village in Tamil Nadu.
“Every internal road would have high-quality tar or cement with integrated drainage; solar street lights; Schools would feature smart classrooms and e-libraries; 24-hour modern Primary Health Centre would be operational; ponds would be desilted, raising the water table, and modern markets for farmers would be established,” he said.
Contrary to the records, the residents expressed disappointment over the current state of the village. They said, “Many areas still have dirt tracks that turn into muddy pools during rain, making movement impossible. Women still struggle daily for water, with some areas receiving supply only once a week.”
They complained that the drainage systems were non-existent, leading to sewage stagnation. Medical and educational facilities remain severely underdeveloped.
“The crores is spent on paper, but we are still fighting for the basic survival,” said Mr. Gnanasekaran.
He said there was now a growing demand for a high-level, transparent inquiry to track exactly where the ₹13.74 crore was diverted and to take strict action against the responsible officials.
A senior district administration official said first they would have to look into the veracity of the allegations.
“Following a complaint from the activist and the village residents, necessary action would be initiated,” he said.
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