The Tamil Nadu government received a notice from the Supreme Court on Wednesday and was questioned regarding the free distribution of products like color televisions and computers to attract the voters, the cost of which would be accounted from the public funds. This pre-poll promise has been made by DMK party.

S Subramaniam Blalaji questioned the DMK government regarding the issue on a public interest petition. Notices were also issued to the Central Government’s Finance Ministry, the Election Commission of India, the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India and DMK chief and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi by a Bench of Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan.

The petitioner looks forward to know the limit to which a government is entitled to “fritter away” the taxpayer’s money. Another major question sought to be answered is the legality and constitutionality of the state government’s scheme to distribute over 5.3 million TV sets worth Rs.24 billion to a section of voters.

The current scheme by the government of distributing electric goods to the voters for free is in violation of Article 262 of the Constitution that instructs a government to make grants only for public purpose.

Blalaji, told the court that the state government was distributing TV sets to the poor and the needy on the excuse that this could enhance their knowledge and awareness and also to improve their living standards.

Balaji is determined to put an end on such corrupt practices to attract voters, as this pre-poll promise made by the government to distribute tv sets and computers directly falls under the electoral offence.