CHENNAI: Doubts have arisen over the continuance of the State Government's scheme of Rs.2-a-kg rice, in the wake of the Central Government's decision to increase the issue price of rice in the public distribution system (PDS), the Bhartiya Janata Party has said.

Pointing out that the Dravida Munentra Kazhagam is part of the United Progressive Alliance Government at the Centre, the party, through a resolution adopted at its State executive on Sunday, referred to the Centre's move to reduce allocation of foodgrains and increase the issue prices of rice and wheat.

The BJP urged the DMK to take steps for speedy implementation of its electoral promises to provide free colour television sets and two acres of wasteland to landless labourers.

The party also called upon the State Government to waive loans obtained by farmers from nationalised banks. It was because of the problems in cooperative societies that many farmers had to go to nationalised banks. So, the waiver of loans obtained from cooperative societies and denial of such a concession to those who took loans from the nationalised banks would amount to partiality and create divisions among farmers.

Accepting the verdict of the people in the recent Assembly elections, the party said the elections turned out to be a contest between the DMK and the All-India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam.

It thanked those who voted for it. The mandate was not for the single-party rule by the DMK. While it would take six months for assessing the decisions of the State Government, the BJP wanted the DMK Government to keep in mind the poll outcome, which was for the Democratic Progressive Alliance.

As for the expansion of the Chennai airport, the BJP urged the Centre to utilise vacant land acquired by the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority and give up the plan to take over the residential localities of Pozhichalur, Pammal, Cowl Bazaar and Anakaputhur, as it would affect thousands of people.

The party wondered why the Central and State Governments maintained silence over the increase in the arrival of refugees from Sri Lanka. It also condemned the recent attempt by terrorists to attack the headquarters of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh at Nagpur and called for stringent action by the Centre against the terrorists.

Amnog those who attended the meeting were C.P. Radhakrishnan, State unit president; S. Thirunavukkarasar, national executive member; and H. Raja and Pon. Radhakrishnan, general secretaries of the State unit.

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