Chennai: DMK Treasurer M. K. Stain ushered in the New Year's Day by displaying his concern for ecology. He planted saplings at the place where trees were uprooted by the Vardah cyclone, in the city.
Urging the party cadres and public to plant saplings to make up for the loss of hundreds of trees that were lost last year too due to the cyclone, Mr. Stalin said, “make it a good activity in this New year to grow trees and protect the environment.”
“As much as possible let's strive to raise green cover and sustain the environment. We have the onus to safeguard the natural wealth that we enjoy, and pass it to the posterity,” he appealed.
Meanwhile, he demanded an explanation from the State Government on the utilisation of Rs 318 crore allotted for replacing the existing ration cards with smart cards. “AIADMK regime continues to be lethargic. This is strongly condemnable,” he said referring to the government deferring issuance of smart cards for the PDS beneficiaries and extending the validity of the existing cards by pasting additional slip.
In 2011, after capturing power the AIADMK announced to issue smart cards. In 2015, food minister R. Kamaraj had said that Rs 318 crore has been allocated for the smart card plan. Noting that the plan was yet to see the light of the day, he demanded, a proper explanation by the government on it.
