Chief Minister V. Narayanasamy on Monday said his government had spent ₹350 crore over the last three years on disbursement of free rice to ration cardholders.
Addressing a press conference here, the Chief Minister said despite obstacles put up by the Lt. Governor’s office, the government was able to provide free rice to the beneficiaries.
He was responding to the charge made by All India N.R. Congress founder N.Rangasamy that the Congress government had failed to fulfil its election promise to give free rice.
The rice for distribution during March, April and May had been procured but could not be distributed for want of permission from the Election Commission, he added.
Mr. Narayanasamy said the previous AINRC government spent only ₹193 crore during its entire tenure of 60 months on free rice. “The rice was not given for several months”, he said.
The government was able to provide old age pension to beneficiaries “without any disruption” unlike during AINRC government’s tenure, he said.
Plight of PSUs
Mr. Narayanasamy blamed the AINRC for the present plight of public sector undertakings and textile mills.
Criticising the AINRC for its alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party, the Chief Minister said the Centre had turned a blind eye to the request of territorial administration for assistance to tide over the financial crisis.
While the Congress had made a commitment in its manifesto to provide Statehood for the Union Territory and scrap NEET, AINRC’s alliance partner, the BJP had failed to give any assurance on these issues. The party had not mentioned a word about Statehood or NEET in its manifesto, he added.
Before addressing the press, the Chief Minister visited the main markets in the town to seek votes for the Congress candidate V. Vaithilingam.
Mr. Vaithilingam and Pradesh Congress Committee president A. Namassivayam were present.
