The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has informed the Tamil Nadu Police about an alleged large-scale cash-for-jobs scandal in the state’s Municipal Administration and Water Supply (MAWS) Department. The agency revealed that the scam came to light during a raid associated with a bank fraud case involving real estate company TVH and a relative of DMK Minister KN Nehru.
In a communication to the Tamil Nadu Police Chief, the ED claimed that candidates paid bribes ranging from Rs 25 to 35 lakh to secure positions like Assistant Engineers, Junior Engineers, and Town Planning Officers. The appointments, as per the agency, were approved by Chief Minister MK Stalin on August 6 this year.
The ED asserted that the selection process for the years 2024–2025 and 2025–2026 was manipulated, with certain individuals having advance access to examination details. Additionally, the agency alleged that the bribe money was gathered in cash and channeled through hawala networks.
Evidence presented by the ED suggests that approximately 150 candidates who offered bribes were hired. The agency also identified several officials and politicians allegedly involved in the scandal in its communication to the police.
As the ED can only launch an investigation following the filing of an FIR by the state police, the agency has requested the Tamil Nadu Police to register a case and commence a probe into the alleged wrongdoing.
AIADMK General Secretary and former Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami responded to the accusations, labeling it as a hallmark of the allegedly corrupt DMK regime. He highlighted significant irregularities in the recruitment process for various positions in the Municipal Administration and Drinking Water Supply Department, alleging that over Rs 800 crore in bribes changed hands. Palaniswami further accused Minister KN Nehru, his brothers’ companies, and multiple officials of collecting bribes ranging from Rs 25 to 35 lakh per candidate and funneling the money through front companies. He urged the Tamil Nadu DGP to act impartially, register an FIR, and ensure that Chief Minister MK Stalin does not obstruct the investigation.
In response to the allegations, Minister KN Nehru dismissed the ED’s claims as unfounded and politically motivated. He stated that during the AIADMK’s tenure from 2011 to 2021, job vacancies accumulated in the department due to the government’s failure to make appointments.
To address the shortfall, the DMK government issued a notification to fill 2,569 positions and ensured a transparent recruitment process from beginning to end. Nehru outlined the creation of a dedicated website for applications, with over two lakh candidates applying. The written exams were conducted by Anna University at 591 centers across 38 districts, and the results were published online on September 20, 2024.
Nehru emphasized that all exams were conducted fairly, with no objections received from the candidates who participated. He pointed out that Anna University, an autonomous institution outside the jurisdiction of the Municipal Administration Department, managed the process.
Regarding the ED’s allegations, Nehru described them as absurd, citing that recruitment exams in previous years were also conducted through Anna University. He accused the Union government of using the ED as a political tool to tarnish the image of the DMK government, alleging their intolerance toward Tamil Nadu’s progress.