Promising to create 5.50 lakh jobs in the government sector, the DMK Assembly election manifesto, released on Saturday, said a law would be enacted to reserve 75% of jobs for Tamils in industries in Tamil Nadu.
Private sector would be convinced to offer communal reservation in employment. It also announced waiving of education loan borrowed by students up to 30 years of age, who pursued school and higher education in Tamil Nadu.
The Dravidian party also sought to battle the accusation of being anti-Hindu by announcing restoration and consecration of temples at ₹1,000 crore and ₹25,000 grant for one lakh people to undertake Hindu spiritual tour. For restoring churches and mosques, Rs 200 crore would be allotted.
The manifesto contained a host of other populist schemes with financial benefit for the people and monetary aid of ₹4,000 ration cardholders impacted by COVID-19 and freeze on property tax revision till the economy revived from the pandemic. However, there was no mention of introducing prohibition, a pet promise in 2016.
Describing the party’s manifesto as the “second hero” of the DMK, party president M.K. Stalin said a separate ministry would be set up to implement the promises made in the manifesto. “The list of candidates [released on Friday] is the first hero and the manifesto is the second hero,” he told reporters.
Unveiling the “future DMK government’s” plan to increase the State’s revenue through extraction of mines and minerals and prevent looting of those natural resources, the manifesto proposed to create a separate Ministry for mines and minerals. “Technological capacity of TAMIN will be strengthened” for the purpose.
Establishing a Special Court to try the corruption charges against the AIADMK Ministers; live telecast of Assembly proceedings; law abolishing the NEET in the first Assembly session; restoration of old pension scheme for government employees; monthly electricity billing cycle; and free milk for school students in the morning are some of the promises made in the DMK manifesto for the 2021 Assembly polls.
At a time when the rise in the price of petroleum products has become a cause for concern, Mr Stalin announced ₹100 subsidy per cooking gas cylinder. The price of petrol and diesel will be reduced by ₹5 and ₹4 per litre respectively. The price of Aavin milk will be reduced by ₹3 per litre.
Jayalalithaa death inquiry
The manifesto also reiterated the DMK’s promise for a proper inquiry into the death of former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa and prosecution of the guilty.
Reiterating its commitment to reservation sans income limit, the manifesto said it would persuade the Centre to increase to ₹25 lakh the annual income to determine creamy layer for central government institutions. Taking a cue from the recommendation of the National Backward Classes Commission for 27% reservation for BCs in private sector, the DMK said it would press for reservation of BCs, ST/STs in private sector jobs. Priority would be given for first generation graduates in government jobs.
The party would urge the Centre to make Tirukkural as a “national book”.
There are a slew of promises for the welfare of women which include 40% reservation for them in government jobs, increase in the maternity leave to 12 months and ₹24,000 as maternity assistance.
The differently-abled people will get smart cards, free travel passes and motorised three-wheelers for travel.
Kalaignar Unavagam
As many as 500 Kalaignar Unavagam, on the lines of Amma Unavagam, would be set up. The DMK also promised night staying places for workers.
Other promises include providing piped drinking water supply in Chennai; free sanitary napkin for government school/college girls; grievance redressal mechanism in every Assembly constituency; resolution for petitions received by Mr Stalin during his ongoing campaign; housing pattas in urban areas where there are no objections, enhanced old age pension of ₹1,500, enhanced assistance for destitute, widows and unmarried women above 50 years; Tamil Nadu River Protection Project; and steps for Indian citizenship for Sri Lankan Tamil refugees.
