The Collector of Tirunelveli district should have been dismissed and action initiated against the police officials in connection with the deaths of a family of four reportedly due to usury, Minister of State for Finance and Shipping Pon. Radhakrishnan has said.
Talking to reporters here on Sunday, Mr. Radhakrishnan said the officials had neglected the family’s repeated petitions on alleged harassment by the usurer. Had the officials acted on the complaint immediately, the lives of four persons would not have been lost, he said.
“This incident has brought shame to the State. It’s a failure on part of the State government in acting as per the provisions of the Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Charging Exorbitant Interest Act. The government should find who are all involved in usury. Whose money is used for usurious moneylending should also be brought out,” he said.
On withdrawal of subsidy for sugar distributed through ration shops, Mr. Radhakrishnan said subsidy was meant only for those who could not afford to buy commodities at market prices and not for the affluent.
“The Centre will continue with the subsidy for the people below poverty line and the downtrodden. If there is any problem faced by such people, the government will look into it,” he said.