Chennai: The government has taken a series of initiatives to save the five fishermen from Tamil Nadu facing death row in Lanka, said Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam on Monday.
Responding to DMK treasurer M.K Stalin’s recent demand to convene the Assembly session to discuss issues like convicted Tamil Nadu fishermen and milk price hike, the Chief Minister in a statement said Stalin’s intention was to fish in troubled waters.
“Stalin who is fighting an internal war with his father wants to emerge as a leader by issuing such statements. We don’t need his advice,” Panneerselvam said.
Joining issue with Stalin, the Chief Minister listed out the government’s initiatives including financial sanction of '20 lakh to hire the best advocates to defend the convicted fishermen. He also noted the earlier financial aid sanctioned by the former chief minister Jayalalithaa for the legal and family expenses of the five fishermen.
The statement also read that in 2009, when DMK was in power, the house concluded its session for taking up the grants on July 21 and next was convened only in January 2010.
“Therefore, we know when to convene the Assembly and are aware of the mandatory duration date that has to be provided between the sessions,” he clarified.
He also stressed that DMK over the past three years focused on trading fake charges, creating confusion affecting the Assembly proceedings. There were cases of DMK staging walkout during ministers’ address.
