The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Karunanidhi refutes Jayalalithaa’s charge

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Monday, Mar 17, 2008
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Karunanidhi refutes Jayalalithaa’s charge

Special Correspondent

CHENNAI: Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi has rejected AIADMK general secretary Jayalalithaa’s charge that the government has not done anything for the rehabilitation of tsunami victims in the State.

Refuting Ms. Jayalalithaa’s charge that due to government’s “ineffectiveness” the tsunami-affected fishermen were suffering a lot, the Chief Minister said the DMK government had allocated Rs. 110 crore for distributing various relief materials to tsunami-hit people as against Rs. 65 crore sanctioned for relief works by the previous Government. The State had sanctioned Rs. 102.36 crore as revolving fund for fisherwomen self-help groups. In the last two years, about 42,500 fisherwomen were benefited to the tune of Rs. 39.40 crore. In addition, Rs. 35.75 crore had been distributed to 35,725 disabled persons who were affected by tsunami. The number of houses constructed for the tsunami affected people after the DMK came to power was 26,862 as against 8,406 houses during the previous regime.

He also charged that Ms. Jayalalithaa during her regime had not convened a meeting of Collectors of tsunami affected districts while he convened a meeting immediately after coming to power.

Reacting to Pattali Makkal Katchi leader S. Ramadoss’ demand that the government give up distribution of freebies such as colour TVs, the Chief Minister said freebies were being distributed to those who could not afford to purchase them. If it was called “cheap politics,” then free power supply to agriculturists would also be called so.

Referring to an article by Tamil Nationalist Movement leader P. Nedumaran, alleging violation of human rights during the AIADMK and the DMK regimes, Mr. Karunanidhi reminded him that it was during the previous regime Mr. Nedumaran, MDMK leader Vaiko and others were detained under POTA. Everybody knew his (Mr.Karunanidhi) attempts to get them released when he was in the opposition. It was not possible for the State government to withdraw the cases against those detained under the Act. It was for the courts to take a decision. The government, on its part, had written to courts stating that it wanted to withdraw the cases, he added.

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