Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], August 26 : Tamil Nadu Health Minister KG Arunraj on Wednesday backed Finance Minister Maria Wilson over his allegations of bribery in granting school approvals during the previous Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) regime, calling him a "victim of forced bribery and corruption" and saying he had come forward as a "whistleblower".
Speaking to reporters about Wilson, Arunraj said, "Actually, he is a victim of forced bribery and corruption. He was forced to give. See, there is... some people say that just because people give, the officials or the ministers or the people in power accept. It's not like that. It is because of the officials or the authorities in power accept this, and they have to stop this corruption. Actually, he has come out as a whistleblower; there is protection in law for the whistleblowers, and actually a proper enquiry has to be conducted."
On Parandur land acquisition, Arunraj says, "It has been clearly clarified what the purpose and vision of this government is. We are not against any development. We are against forced acquisition and any development which is against the wishes of the people."
Meanwhile, Wilson on Monday alleged in the Assembly that bribes were taken for granting school approvals during the previous Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) regime, claiming that money was also taken for his own educational institution in T Nagar and asserting that he was "ready to face any defamation case or inquiry".
Speaking in the Assembly, Wilson said he was himself a witness to the alleged incident and claimed that he could provide details about the same.
"I want to record one thing. The main reason for that is, they're asking here for witnesses and evidence. Let documentary evidence come, but I myself am evidence here. I myself am a witness! The former Education Minister is not in the House; it would have been better if he were here. But there's no other way. I thought I shouldn't disclose this, but I have no choice. For the past three days, this subject has been revolving like this. A full stop must be put to this. Let them file a case tomorrow, be it a defamation case or an inquiry -- I will come personally. I can face him directly. In which place in T. Nagar, at which location, at a place called. 'Global', how much money did we give? I can tell everything. Everyone can tell. I can clearly state the amount. I am the witness. I thought I shouldn't say it, sir. I really thought I shouldn't say it. But there's no other way. Beyond a point, how much money did you take for minority institutions? I can tell all of that too," he added.
Wilson further alleged that money was collected for granting permission to schools during the previous regime and claimed that the alleged practice also affected his own educational institution.
"Even for my own school, a bribe was taken. I am a witness to it myself. I can tell who collected the money in T Nagar, Chennai and through whom it was collected. Whatever case is filed against me for this, I am ready to face it," he said.
The Minister said that the focus should not merely be on the number of schools and colleges established, but on the quality of education and institutions.
He said that several former ministers run educational institutions and are therefore aware of the importance of maintaining quality in the education sector.