Minister Ramalingam Chandrasekar Under Fire for Alleged Tax Evasion Remarks (Video)

A video of Fisheries Minister Ramalingam Chandrasekar suggesting that people could run a 1.5-acre sea cucumber farm while paying tax for only half an acre has gone viral on social media, sparking widespread criticism.

The remarks were made during a discussion with sea cucumber farmers in the Gurunagar area of Jaffna, and the video has stirred multiple controversies.

Citizens expressed outrage, questioning how a minister from a government that came to power promising to fight corruption could be openly encouraging tax evasion.

Adding to the controversy, Chandrasekar, who had previously opposed sea cucumber farming, is now promoting it, raising doubts about his shifting stance. Critics argue that his comments appear to protect those illegally operating farms, causing financial losses to the government.

The issue comes in the wake of earlier controversies, including a Chinese-backed sea cucumber hatchery in Ariyalai, Jaffna, which had already drawn public scrutiny.

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English Translation of the Minister’s Video

“No one needs to be afraid.
We will give it to everyone, okay?
But you must agree to the conditions.
It’s not about using this and giving it to that, it doesn’t work that way.
Now, you can take one acre or one and a half acres.
You can even take five or six acres if you want.
All of this will be measured again, keep one and a half acres, but pay the fee for only half an acre, okay?”