The opposition AIADMK has called upon Lieutenant Governor Kiran Bedi to stop criticising the welfare schemes of the Tamil Nadu government.
AIADMK Legislature party leader A. Anbalagan told presspersons here on Friday that Ms. Bedi had made remarks against the gold for ‘mangalasutra’ scheme meant for the poor educated women at a function in Tiruchi on Thursday, which were highly condemnable. He said the comments were “an insult to women in the State.” The schemes implemented by the Tamil Nadu Government were conceived by the late Chief Minister Jayalalithaa. The welfare scheme such as gold for ‘mangalasutra’ had benefited the poor. But the irresponsible comments and criticism made by Ms. Bedi against the scheme only show that she acted as a stumbling block to welfare measures.
Mr. Anbalagan said that Ms. Bedi had no locus standi to criticise the schemes operated in a bigger State. “She is the Lt. Governor in a palm-sized Union Territory but crosses the limits to come out with remarks and criticism,” he alleged.
The Lt. Governor did not have any idea about the purpose of free rice scheme operated in Puducherry. He called upon Chief Minister V. Narayanasamy and Welfare Minister M. Kandasamy to ensure that the cash in lieu of rice scheme announced for Scheduled Caste families and the below poverty line families ensured justice for all. The amount of ₹750 for BPL families was insufficient and it should be raised to ₹1,000 per family, he added.
