Announcing sweeping reforms to ensure transparency in administration, the draft manifesto of the Pattali Makkal Katchi promises to subject the assets of the Chief Minister and other Ministers to public scrutiny.
“If elected to power, the details of the assets of the Cabinet members will be released on the first working day of every January. We will introduce the Bill for creation of a Lokayukta in the first session of the Assembly,” said the manifesto released by PMK founder S. Ramadoss on Wednesday.
The party’s Chief Minister candidate, Anbumani Ramadoss, would tour the State to elicit the views of voters and representatives of various organisations so that they could be included in the final version of the manifesto which will be released by January 25.
Dr. Ramadoss said that besides enacting the right to public service act to prevent corruption in administration, the PMK regime would create and independent police authority and Tamil Nadu Health Mission on the lines of National Health Service (NHS) in the United Kingdom.
On the promise of free bus service in Chennai when the PMK was against freebies, Dr. Anbumani explained that free education, medical and bus services could not be considered freebies. “Free education, medical benefits and free agricultural inputs will save a family Rs. one lakh per year,” he said.
Dr. Ramadoss said the PMK Chief Minister’s first signature would be for implementation of prohibition and it would be followed by rehabilitation of alcoholics and prevention of illicit brewing. “We will nationalise all the sand and granite quarries,” he said.
The BJP was welcome to join the front to be led by the PMK if the party accepted Dr. Anbumani’s candidature for the Chief Minister’s post.
Dr. Ramadoss said the Chief Minister should lead a team to prevail upon Prime Minister Narendra Modi to gather opinion in support of the resolution passed in the Assembly.
