BJP focus on Sri Lankan issue

By Our Special Correspondent

CHENNAI, APRIL 17. The BJP State unit will urge the Union Government to intervene in the Sri Lankan issue for a solution that is acceptable to all Sri Lankan Tamils and will ensure peace in the island.

Till such a peaceful settlement is arrived at and the Island Tamils are able to return to Sri Lanka, the BJP will continue to emphasise the need to provide humanitarian treatment of the refugees in India.

At the same time, the party will ensure adequate protection for Tamil Nadu's fishermen to pursue their livelihood without fear.

This was one of the highlights of the party unit's election manifesto released here today by the manifesto committee leader and State unit vice-president, Mr. Vaithialingam. The State president, Dr. S.P. Kirupanidhi, and general secretary, Mr. L. Ganesan, were present on the occasion.

The manifesto said the party would strive to establish an independent Hindu temples administration board to maintain their assets and revamp the present administration system. The proposed Board, would have pious and religious members and patrons.

The party would take efforts to provide consolidated pay and other benefits for village temple priests. While every individual would be guaranteed equal protection to pursue one's faith or to convert, the party would seek to ban conversion by inducement or coercion.

On major issues, the manifesto said the party would work for interlinking of all major south Indian rivers and to ensure that the State attained its legitimate claims in the Cauvery water sharing and Mullaiperiyar dam issues.

The party would take up the issues of improving State's major infrastructure including upgrading of Tuticorin port, the East Coast road in Thanjavur and Tiruchi airport, providing hassle- free and continuous power supply for industry. It would also seek the continuation of the free power supply scheme for farmers.

Action would be taken to hasten the Sethusamudram project, it said.

The BJP unit promised steps to improve the farm and allied sectors by ensuring representation for growers in price fixation committees, higher support price and creation of more storage space for food products.

On the education front, the BJP said all faiths would be given equal treatment and facilities for starting private institutions. The facilities enjoyed by minority institutions would be extended to all institutions.

Legal means would be found to ensure Tamil-based education at primary level and students would be encouraged to learn a third language, as stressed by the late K.A.P. Viswanathan. For furthering Tamil development, a Tamil Year would be observed.

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