With the AIADMK also announcing prohibition in phases, the PMK chose to retain the hold over its most favourite issue by promising stringent measures to implement the policy at one go.
The party manifesto released on Friday assured a law to make life sentence as the maximum punishment for brewing/distributing spurious liquor. A separate court would be set up to try such cases within six months. Officials in whose territory illegal liquor is found would be suspended.
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The manifesto made promises in over 45 different areas, including free education for all and education kits to students which would include iPads and free internet. “Right from pen to bus passes, everything will be given free to students,” the document stated. It also assured free internet in all public places like bus stops and parks.
Education was the primary focus. The party promised to pay the fees of even those students studying in private schools till the quality of government schools is brought on a par with that of elite private schools. The party will also launch ‘student only’ buses and special night buses for IT employees.
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In higher education, the party promised waiver of education loans availed by students from public sector banks. Some of the populist announcements aimed at women include raising of the maternity allowance to Rs. 20,000 and supplying of a litre of milk to all mothers every day for a year from childbirth.
To eliminate corruption, all government offices will come under CCTV surveillance. A toll-free number would be set up for the public to register a complaint against corruption and there would be a Lok Ayukta.
Smaller districts, each with 12 lakh population, would be carved out. Tiruchi will be made the second capital of Tamil Nadu.
Secretariat city
A ‘secretariat city’, which will house the Secretariat, the Assembly, government departments and residential complexes of all Ministers would be set up in the outskirts of Chennai. The salary of government employees will be paid in instalments every 15 days for better family budgeting.
Hubs to be developed
PMK chief ministerial candidate Anbumani Ramadoss said the State had great potential in developing a variety of hubs including ones focused on medical tourism, international warehousing and information technology.
To improve the share of renewable energy in total power output, he promised setting up of 1 MW solar power plant in all 12,500 panchayat unions over a ten-year period.
The manifesto also featured some of PMK’s long-standing promises such as conduct of a caste census and extending 100 per cent reservation based on population of communities.