Tamil Nadu Assembly: Privilege motion against EV Velu over work orders

EV value. File | Photo credit: C. Venkatachalapathy

Tamil Nadu PWD Minister Aadhav Arjuna on Tuesday (September 8, 2026) filed a privilege motion against former PWD and Roads Minister EV Velu for allegedly issuing orders for 80 guns and creating a liability of ₹2,000 crore for future budgets.

“This was done in anticipation of the budget without prior approval of the assembly,” he said and asked JCD chairman Prabhakar to refer the matter to the Privileges Committee under Article 225 of the assembly rules to examine, investigate and report.

He said he submitted a memo and documents to support his case.

Mr Prabhakar said he would study the material and decide what action should be taken in the matter.

Mr. Arjuna based his case on Articles 202 to 206 of the Constitution, under which the State Legislature considers and approves the annual financial statement and approves expenditure and additional or excess grants. He said the provisions required expenditure from the consolidated state fund to be approved by the Legislative Assembly.

“By issuing work orders, the rights of the assembly have been violated. By getting approval after issuing the orders, it will not be legal,” the minister said, adding that the DMK had done so in the hope of being re-elected to power.

Published – 8 Sep 2026 12:20 PM IST