Stalin-led DMK government is almost bankrupt due to poor policies, says Edappadi K. Palaniswami
Interacting with farmers and traders in Tirunelveli, he recalled that the erstwhile AIADMK government had twice waived off crop loans availed through cooperative banks and ensured disbursal of crop insurance benefits to the tune of ₹12,000 crore, the largest disbursal in the entire country, and gave ₹248 crore as drought relief. The party was taking every possible step to protect farmers and farming, he said.
Recalling various programmes such as the 'Kudimaramathu scheme', construction of check-dams, and notification of the Cauvery Delta as a protected special agricultural zone during his regime, he alleged that the DMK government, which announced check-dams at a cost of ₹2,000 crore, had so far constructed only six of them.
Mr. Palaniswami welcomed a suggestion by farmers' association representatives for opening direct paddy procurement centres in areas falling under city limits also.
Secretary of Nellai Viyabaarigal Sangam M.R. Gunasekaran appealed to Mr Palaniswami to enact special law for protecting retail business and regularising online business.
A representative of the Tamil Nadu Consumer Products Distributor Associations' Federation also said concrete measures should be taken by the governments to streamline online business, which was wiping out retail business and creating unemployment.
Recalling the trader-friendly policies implemented by his erstwhile government, Mr. Palaniswami said: 'Since the Chief Minister should have a clear understanding about every issue, I used to take suggestions from officials through power-point presentations before attending meetings or Assembly sessions. But, it is not the case now. Problems are being created for traders.'
Tamil Nadu Construction Workers Welfare Central Committee president S. Mahalingam said effective steps should be taken to control the skyrocketing prices of construction materials and the pension for construction workers should be raised to ₹3,000 a month from existing ₹1,200. The family pension should be increased to ₹1,000 a month and ₹2 lakh given for the natural death of construction workers.
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