If Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and AIADMK co-coordinator Edappadi K. Palaniswami had little more time, prior to the announcement of election dates, he may have waived off even personal loans and small borrowings done by the people, said Congress leader P. Chidambaram here on Tuesday.
Speaking at a booth-level workers meeting held at Tirupachethi and Illayankudi, he said that the CM had suddenly woken up to the reality, but it was too late. Having slept for over four years, making announcements after announcements had only made him look like a comedian.
The former Union minister wondered from where the State had earmarked funds for such huge waivers. “Have they discussed with any of the bankers about the modalities. Have the officials issued any terms and conditions. What is the size of the loans that will be taken up for waiver. What is the interest rate on the borrowings. How many SHGs will benefit across the State. Was the data cross checked by the officials concerned,” he wondered.
Without any clarity, the government has rushed and made the announcements, he suspected and claimed that many beneficiaries remained in the dark.
The State government had not given a tangible response to any of the above queries raised by a few more informed persons and simply stuck to the numbers in the Budget, which was just read by the Finance Minister in the Assembly, he charged.