Ruling party AIADMK and DMK, Opposition spar over projects, farm loans
Chennai: The ruling AIADMK and DMK on Tuesday argued over drinking water project for Dindigul, setting up of medical colleges and waiver of agricultural loans.
Former minister and DMK deputy secretary I. Periyasamy speaking on the discussion on the motion of thanks to the Governor said the DMK government initiated the drinking water project for Dindigul district. Disputing the DMK member's claim, local administration minister S.P. Velumani said the drinking water project involved a main project and five sub-projects. But, the DMK started the sub-projects and partially completed it, without taking measures to start the main project. The AIADMK government had nearly completed the main project and drinking water would be available to people shortly.
Similarly, health minister C. Vijayabaskar challenged Periyasamy's statement that the DMK government had set up five medical colleges. Vijayabaskar said the DMK government had issued GO, but did not allocate funds or acquire lands for the colleges. Periyasamy replied that a special officer had been appointed to find the location and allot funds.
When Periyasamy raised the demand for waiver of loans for all farmers without discrimination, minister for co-operation Sellur K. Raju said the AIADMK government had waived loans for Rs 5709 crore and added that the DMK government had waived agricultural loans worth R 5,389 crore and claiming that they had waived Rs 7,000 crore worth crop loans.
Periyasamy complained that the names of several beneficiaries of government's pension scheme and financial assistance for senior citizens, destitute women and widows had been deleted. Reacting to the charge, forests minister Dindigul C. Seenivasan said the names of those who were not eligible for the scheme had been removed. The same point was reiterated by revenue minister R.B. Udhayakumar.
Earlier, there was commotion and noisy scenes in the House when the AIADMK member mentioned DMK leader M. Karunanidhi's name. Similar commotion was seen when DMK member Mano. Thangaraj mentioned the Chief Minister's name. The Speaker said as per rule the Chief Minister's name should not be used.
