TIRUPUR: Days after the Rs 12,110-crore loan waiver bonanza, chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami on Friday wooed TN farmers with yet another sop by promising round-the-clock power for agricultural pumps.
Campaigning for the second day in Tirupur, the CM said the decision was taken to address the long-pending demand of farmers for 24-hour power instead of the 12-hour supply being provided to them now. Farmers had again raised the issue at a consultative meeting held recently in the western district.
EPS said the AIADMK government was fulfilling the demands of farmers one by one as a result of which foodgrain production has shot up in Tamil Nadu. “Farmers wanted copra procurement price to be hiked. I will request the PM to hike the price when I meet him,’’ EPS said.
Hitting out at DMK president M K Stalin for levelling corruption charges, EPS dared the opposition leader for a debate on his accusations. “I am ready to answer each and every question about corruption. You can ask me any question. Why are you peddling false information?,’’ the CM asked Stalin. EPS said the government was following e-tender and was transparent in awarding contracts.
Terming the DMK as a ‘corporate company’ run for the welfare of M Karunandhi’s clan, EPS said that DMK was propagating dynastic politics while in AIADMK merit was being rewarded. Even an ordinary party worker can become a chief minister, he said. “In DMK, earlier it was M Karunanidhi, then Stalin came, now Uthayanithi is being groomed,’’ the CM said, adding that there was Kanimozhi and other leaders like Dhayanidhi Maran from the same family. “Even now only Stalin’s family members are campaigning. Are there no leaders in DMK other than his family?,’’ the CM asked
He also attacked DMK MP Kanimozhi, who had criticised EPS a day ago in Tirupur, accusing her of being ignorant about the welfare measures implemented by the AIADMK government. “More than 6,000 water bodies have been desilted under ‘kudimaramathu scheme’,” he said responding to allegations of Kanimozhi that the scheme was a farce. “She should also learn about the schemes we are implementing for the welfare of women,’’ he said listing out amount disbursed as loans for self-help group women, number of beneficiaries under marriage assistance scheme and a host of other schemes.
“We are planning more welfare programmes for women,’’ the CM said at an interactive session with self-help group women in Palladam.