Nirmal Kumar Mocks DMK’s Handling of Drug Issue When in Power
Nirmal Kumar said the TVK government will not hesitate appropriate action against those involved in wrongdoing, irrespective of their political affiliations
MADURAI: Minister for energy resources and law, C.T.R. Nirmal Kumar, alleged that the DMK government would have passed off methamphetamine as kolam powder to cover up a drug seizure had it been in power.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the inauguration of the state-level Chief Minister’s Trophy hockey tournament at MGR Stadium here on Saturday, Nirmal Kumar said the TVK government will not hesitate appropriate action against those involved in wrongdoing, irrespective of their political affiliations and, hence, the Nagapattinam TVK functionary was arrested in methamphetamine trafficking and immediately expelled from the party.
The minister further taking a swipe at the former chief minister M.K. Stalin alleged that during the previous DMK regime, the police had closed a drug seizure case in Ramanathapuram district after describing the consignment as fertilisers. “Had the DMK been in power now, it would have covered up the case falsely, declaring the seized methamphetamine as ‘kolam’ powder,” Nirmal Kumar said
sarcastically.
On TVK government’s decision to buy power for around Rs. 35 per unit from private power generation companies, he said the state had to buy additional electricity from Central government-owned companies and could not purchase it from private firms. Moreover, adding that gas-based power generation cost Rs. 29 per unit, Nirmal Kumar pointed to West Bengal and Andhra Pradesh purchasing the power at Rs. 30 and more per unit.
He added that the Tamil Nadu government was following a transparent tendering process for power purchase.
The minister said the conditions for the smart meter tender had been revised to allow more companies to participate, unlike under the previous DMK regime. The changes could delay the tender by two months, he explained.
On preparations for the northeast monsoon, Nirmal Kumar said the state had stocked electrical poles, transformers and other equipment to meet emergencies, including in the 14 districts previously affected by cyclones.
Rejecting the criticism that the state government had failed to present its case effectively before the Supreme Court on reservation benefits for those who convert to Islam, Nirmal Kumar said the decision to appeal had been taken after consultations with Islamic political parties and Ramanathapuram MP Nawaz Kani. The government will bring in a fresh legislative amendment with the Chief Minister’s approval, he added.