Tamil Nadu govt is keen on attracting more people to Tasmac shops and not on bringing stranded Tamils back home, Kanimozhi says

TUTICORIN: Repatriating Tamils who are stranded in other countries and states deserves the importance that is given to ensure proper functioning of Tasmac liquor outlets, said Tuticorin MP and DMK’s women wing secretary Kanimozhi Karunanidhi on Tuesday.
Kanimozhi was in Tuticorin taking part in Covid-19 relief work carried out by the party.
While addressing the media over government increasing: liquor sales time and the number of tokens issued in Tasmac outlets, she said the government is keen on attracting more customers to Tasmac shops instead of bringing stranded Tamils back home.
“Tamils abroad are struggling for the last few months. They have lost their jobs, unable to continue education and don’t have places to stay as hostels have been closed. They don’t have money and are struggling for food. They should be brought to Tamil Nadu,” she said and added that there were only one or two direct flights to Tamil Nadu.
“Other flights that land in other states carry fewer passengers from Tamil Nadu. Again, they struggle to reach our state. Pregnant women are no exemption. After reaching India, they have to travel 17 to 18 more hours to reach home,” she added.
She alleged that the state government is refusing to permit Tamils to return from other states. “They can be properly screened before they are brought home. But leaving behind all these major issues, the government is focusing on Tasmac sales which poses a huge threat for the spread of Covid-19.”
Condemning the Centre’s move to scrap free electricity to farmers, she accused it of using the pandemic as an opportunity and constantly interfering into the rights of states. “All state governments should oppose this. The Tamil Nadu government has stated that it will not accept it. The government should be firm in its stand.”