CHENNAI : All welfare measures, already extended to small and marginal farmers and agricultural workers, will be continued under the proposed social security and welfare scheme for farm labourers, the Government has clarified.

Responding to observations of the former Chief Minister, Jayalalithaa, earlier in the day, an official release on Monday evening stated that no one could attribute motives to the decision of issuing identity cards for farmers and agricultural workers, which could be used permanently as the cards would not have the picture of Chief Minister. The (village-level) panel, comprising village administrative officer, school headmaster and community worker (makkal nala paniyalar), had been constituted to ascertain genuineness of those enrolled under the 2001 and 2005 schemes and carry out a survey for enrolling new members.

"Agricultural workers and others know well that this Government is always interested in the educational, social and economic development and overall welfare of farm workers and small and marginal farmers," the release said.

Ms. Jayalalithaa had made her remarks without knowing the full details and with the intention of causing disrepute to the Government. The previous Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam regime had constituted nine welfare boards for workers of different professions. But, the bodies were disbanded by the AIADMK Government in 2001.

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