CHENNAI: The main Opposition parties in the Assembly, Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK), Congress and Pattali Makkal Katchi (PMK), on Friday accused the Government of inaction on many promises it had made over the years. The PMK staged a walkout protesting the "Speaker's refusal to allow its leader to conclude" his speech.

K. Ponmudi (DMK) wanted to know how many families were provided houses in the past four and a half years, while pointing out that the Government had promised that each family would have a house by the end of its term. He wanted to know if a survey had been undertaken in this regard.

Mr. Ponmudi said if the Government was serious about holding elections to co-operatives, it could have taken steps to vacate the stay in the courts and gone ahead with the elections.

Food Minister Pollachi V.Jayaraman said if the DMK men, against whom investigations were pending, withdrew the stay to prevent the enquiries, the polls could be held.

Mr. Ponmudi said the Government had promised to set up a consortium for Tamils living abroad to spur investment in the State. This had not been done. He also wanted to know how many acres of wasteland had been reclaimed.

Congress leader S.R. Balasubramoniyan charged the Government with not solving basic issues affecting the people. The fact that the number of those seeking rations through the public distribution system had gone up and the number of beneficiaries of the free dhoti/sari scheme had grown, were clear pointers.

Though the Government had banned usury, Mr. Balasubramoniyan claimed the system still existed in many urban areas. He wanted it to streamline the water-harvesting scheme, build more check dams and resume copra procurement.

Mr. Jayaraman clarified that the rain had brought the procurement process to a halt. It would restart soon.

Mr. Balasubramoniyan said many farmers were unable not sell their produce at the procurement centres because of the stringent procurement norms.

Mr. Jayaraman replied that the State Federation was following the conditions laid down by the national body. The member should influence the Centre to relax the rules.

Earlier, PMK president G.K. Mani raised doubts about the viability and usefulness of the monorail project and wanted to know why the Government had changed its mind on metro rail.

Transport Minister R.Viswanathan said monorail was cheaper, more efficient and easier to build compared to metro rail. PTC Consultancy Services had carried out elaborate research before monorail was chosen.

CM's remarks expunged

Speaker Kalimuthu expunged a remark made by Chief Minister Jayalalithaa on a judicial transfer. She was replying to Mr. Balasubramoniyan who brought up a related issue.

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