Chennai:
In Chennai, the impact of the 2G spectrum scam seems to lurk around every corner. Now, some in the city want the Tamil Nadu government to dissociate itself from the hugely-popular annual cultural festival, Chennai Sangamam, to steer clear of any possible links - however indirect - to the scam.
The event is scheduled to begin on January 12. It is organized by an NGO named Tamil Maiyam.
A Public Interest Litigation or PIL has asked the High Court to stop the government from associating with the NGO for this year's edition of the festival. That's because last month, the offices of Father Jegath Gasper, who runs the NGO, were raided by the CBI, which is trying to uncover the money trail that seems to have seeped into Tamil Nadu from Delhi. The NGO enjoys the patronage of DMK leader Kanimozhi.
The Madras High Court has asked the Tamil Nadu government to explain exactly who funds the festival.
Sources in the government say that in the past, the government has provided accommodation for folk artists who travel from around the state to the capital to participate in the festival. Public parks and spaces are also used for their performances.
The 2G scam relates to the allocation of spectrum and mobile licences in 2008. The government's auditor has indicted Mr Raja for deliberately undervaluing spectrum to benefit companies who he favoured. The auditor believes the losses for the government could add upto 1.76 lakh crores, making this India's largest scam.