Stories
New Secretariat: Officials' Order Without CM's Approval? – Kanimozhi MP Questions
- •Minister Adhav Arjuna stated that the Chief Minister has not yet decided on building a new Secretariat in Pattinapakkam.
- •DMK leader M.K. Stalin questioned who decided on the Pattinapakkam Secretariat, calling it a deception after a government order was issued.
- •Stalin emphasized that a Secretariat destroying fishermen's livelihood and in a congested area is undesirable.
- •DMK MP Kanimozhi questioned the purpose of the government order issued on 08.09.2026 if the CM had not made a decision.
- •Kanimozhi asked if officials identified land and ordered a detailed project report without the Chief Minister's approval.
Key Questions Answered
The Tamil Nadu government issued Government Order (GO) (Ms) No. 564 on September 8, 2026, granting in-principle approval for a new Rs 1,200 crore integrated Assembly and Secretariat complex. The 20 lakh square-foot modern facility is planned to be built across 25.55 acres in Pattinapakkam, Chennai.
Minister Adhav Arjuna claimed that the Chief Minister has not yet made a final decision regarding building the new Secretariat in Pattinapakkam amid ongoing protests by fishermen and opposition parties. This remark sparked controversy, with DMK leaders questioning why a formal government order had already been issued if no decision was finalized.
DMK leaders, including M.K. Stalin and Kanimozhi, criticized the project for threatening the habitat and livelihoods of fishing communities and for proceeding despite widespread protests. Additionally, Union Minister L. Murugan urged the government to scrap the project, noting it would negatively impact over 10,000 indigenous fishing families.
