DMK regime open to constructive criticism, says Karunanidhi

Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi distributing Dhoties and Sarees to beneficaries at Chinthadripet in Chennai on Friday. Photo: R. Ragu

The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) government is willing to rectify its defects, if pointed out in a constructive manner, Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi said on Friday.

Pointing out that no government would be completely free of shortcomings, Mr. Karunanidhi said the tendency to find fault just for the sake of it should not be there. In a democracy, the government should correct its mistakes, when brought to its attention.

Those who pointed out lapses should cooperate with the government in removing such defects.

The Chief Minister was addressing a function here to mark the inauguration of the Rs.256-crore scheme of distribution of dhotis and saris free to people below the poverty line. This year, 3.28 crore dhotis and saris would be distributed through fair price shops all over the State. Being implemented on the occasion of Pongal and Tamil New Year (first day of ‘Thai’ month of the Tamil almanac), the scheme would go on till January 10. Those who could not get the garments during this period could approach the respective taluk offices later. In Chennai district, dhotis and saris, numbering 6,44,572 each, would be given to the people. It would cost the exchequer Rs. 10.57 crore. At the function, 750 beneficiaries were covered.

Referring to the previous All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam regime’s decision to suspend the scheme for a few years, the Chief Minister said that when there were no elections, the scheme was not implemented. It was revived at the time of 2004 Lok Sabha elections. But, the DMK government’s objective in implementing the scheme was to make the poor happy, not for the purpose of facing polls or making the party victorious.

I. Periasami, Revenue and Housing Minister, said that once the allocation for the scheme of distribution of dhotis and saris was Rs. 100 crore. Now, it was Rs. 256 crore.

Dayanidhi Maran, Union Minister for Textiles, said the DMK government had been fulfilling all its electoral promises.

M. Subramanian, Chennai Mayor, said the results of the recent by-elections had demonstrated that people would ever stand by the government.

N. Sundaradevan, Principal Secretary and Commissioner of Revenue Administration, said that in the last three years, the government spent Rs. 652 crore for free distribution of 4.73 crore dhotis and 4.74 crore saris.