Date:07/06/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/06/07/stories/2007060716340600.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Tendering for Assembly complex to be expedited

Special Correspondent

Rajaji Hall, new MLAs hostel to stay

Old MLA hostel to be demolished
Karunanidhi justifies exemption with regard to helmet rule

Karunanidhi to campaign for bypoll

CHENNAI: A meeting chaired by Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi on Wednesday to discuss building a new Assembly complex in the Omandur Government Estate here decided to expedite the process of calling for global tenders.

Once the tenders were settled, the foundation ceremony would be held, he said in response to a question. On the buildings in the estate, he said Rajaji Hall and the new MLAs hostel would not be demolished.

The old MLA's hostel would be demolished for the construction of the new Assembly complex. Details of the total cost would be arrived at after the plans were firmed up, Mr. Karunanidhi said.

On the agitation by the Pattali Makkal Katchi over high college fees, Mr.Karunanidhi said that after the DMK came to power, the fee in government colleges was reduced to a large extent.

The PMK's contention was that some self-financing colleges had hiked their fee. This would be looked into, he said.

Illegal structures

On the demand of PMK founder S. Ramadoss that all 75,000 illegal structures in the city be pulled down, he said that since not only the rich but also many middle class people and traders would be affected, the Government brought this to the notice of the Supreme Court.

Later a committee headed by former Supreme Court judge S. Mohan was constituted. The Government had done this with good intentions, Mr. Karunanidhi said.

Helmet rule

He said that the court ruling on helmet rule had to be followed. Like in Delhi, here too exemptions were given to women and children riding pillion.

Asked if men riding pillion had to wear helmet, Mr.Karunanidhi said that the exemption was given to women and children.

"We have to follow the orders of the court. We cannot contravene them," he said.

Asked if he was contradicting the government orders on the issue, Mr. Karunanidhi said that whenever a decision was taken, it should not be followed blindly.

If people's opinion was contrary to a decision, there was nothing wrong in changing it.

Delhi trip

The Chief Minister said that he would be in New Delhi on June 13, 14 and 15.

This was subsequent to a communication that he received from leaders in New Delhi.

In response to a question, Mr.Karunanidhi said that he would campaign for the Madurai West byelection.

The dates were yet to be decided.