Speaking to the media in Namakkal after participating in a COVID-19 review meeting, the Chief Minister said the State has been taking all efforts to control the spread of the pandemic that has affected the livelihood of the people here.

Palaniswami said public transport remained suspended to prevent the spread of infection. “Even e-pass system is continuing so as to trace infected persons. If buses are plied, then it may become difficult to trace such persons. The public should extend cooperation to bring the pandemic under control,” he said.

On the allegations that MLAs and MPs belonging to the DMK were disallowed from participating in COVID-19 review meetings, the Chief Minister said the government does not have any intention to stop anyone from participating in the meetings.

“Review meetings were being conducted to control the spread of the pandemic. Anyone can participate after taking COVID-19 test before participation. Even I took part only after taking a test. If someone participates without testing, it can lead to spread of the infection to officials and may thus affect the work done by the district administrations. These review meetings are meant only to know if the infection is under control and issue suggestions,” he added.

To a query about the ongoing debate on a second capital for Tamil Nadu, Palaniswami said those were personal views of some people and not that of the government. “Even I am raising a lot of demands to the central government. But all demands are not fulfilled and only those that can be accepted are fulfilled. Similarly, it is the duty of MLAs and MPs to raise issues concerning their district,” he said. Earlier, the Chief Minister distributed welfare aid to the tune of Rs 91.26 crore to 19,132 beneficiaries, unveiled 130 new projects that were commissioned at a cost of Rs 137.65 crores and inaugurated 26 works that were completed at an expense of Rs 14.44 crore.