The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Government not reciprocating our gesture: Karunanidhi

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Feb 02, 2005

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Government not reciprocating our gesture: Karunanidhi

By Our Staff Reporter

TAMBARAM, FEB.1. The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) president, M. Karunanidhi, today said the Tamil Nadu Government was not reciprocating his party's offer of support in the ongoing tsunami relief measures.

Soon after the tsunami struck, all parties in the United Progressive Alliance got together and involved themselves in relief work.

"My son, M.K. Stalin, handed over a cheque for Rs. 21 lakhs to the Chief Minister's Relief Fund. I did not hand over the cheque personally, as I was unable to and not that I did not want to. But has the Chief Minister reciprocated in a similar manner," he asked.

`Attacking statement'

"Soon afterwards, the Chief Minister issued a statement attacking me and Sun TV and saying it (Sun TV) was a family channel," Mr. Karunanidhi said, after laying the foundation stone for construction of flyovers at Kathipara, Koyambedu, Padi, Tirusulam and a subway near the airport at a function at Meenambakkam.

The DMK leader said Sun TV had mobilised Rs. 5 crores from its viewers towards the relief fund.

"We wrote to the Government asking for an appointment to hand over the cheque. But we did not get any reply for a week.

"Hence we decided to give the amount to the Prime Minister's Relief Fund," Mr. Karunanidhi said. The State Government was not reciprocating his party's efforts to help the victims.

The DMK chief recalled that during Kamaraj rule, the State witnessed several natural calamities. "Arignar Anna would extend all possible help to the Government."

Flyover projects

The projects for which the foundation stone were laid today include an 1.1-kilometre-long flyover near the airport to avoid traffic snarls and an underpass (subway) for pedestrians to reach the Tirusalam railway station from the airport.

Apart from this are the flyovers at the Kathipara and Padi intersections the most congested in the city, and widening of National Highway 4 (Bangalore Highway) between Koyambedu and Maduravoyal. The cost of the projects is estimated at about Rs. 200 crores.

Mr. Stalin, DMK deputy general secretary, presided. The Union Minister for Shipping, Road Transport and Highways, T.R. Baalu; the Secretary, Department of Road Transport and Highways, Dhanendra Kumar; the NHAI Chairman, Santosh Nautiyal, and party MPs and MLAs spoke.

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