Trichy (Tamil Nadu), April 1 Chief Minister MK Stalin on Wednesday accused the BJP of plotting to cause violence in Tamil Nadu, "similar to what happened in Uttar Pradesh and Manipur," and asserted that his government had successfully countered their attempts.
Addressing a DMK rally here for the upcoming Assembly polls, Stalin, the president of the ruling DMK, listed schemes implemented in the Trichy region by his government. He referred to initiatives including the Panchapur bus terminus, a mini-stadium, a jallikattu arena, model schools, and combined drinking water schemes.
Soon after his party regained power, a mega library named after Kamarajar, a TIDEL park, and an Olympic Academy will be inaugurated in the region, and Trichy's development presents a challenge to the capital city of Chennai, he said.
During the past 5 years, Rs 26,066 crore worth of projects have been completed for Trichy, and "that is why I am seeking your votes," Stalin said.
Asserting that his regime successfully implemented assurances made ahead of the 2021 Assembly polls, including fare-free travel for women in buses, he emphasized that 9 lakh students received an assistance of Rs 1,000 per month for higher education.
In January this year, a Rs 3,000 cash gift was provided to all rice ration card-holders for the harvest festival Pongal.
He referred to the disbursement of Rs 5,000 to 1.31 crore women beneficiaries in February – Rs 1,000 assistance per month; provided for 3 months in advance in addition to Rs 2,000 summer grant -- and the assured pension plan announced for state government employees (TAPS).
Further, he said: "Above all, there is no caste riot in Tamil Nadu, no religious riots like those seen in the BJP-ruled states. No events of mob violence like the ones seen in Uttar Pradesh. No continuous violence like in Manipur."
He claimed: "We have also thwarted the conspiracies made by the BJP to create all these things. It is because of the peaceful environment and skilled human resources under our governance that investments are coming to Tamil Nadu today. This growth must be taken to the next level. I have released the DMK election manifesto as a clear action plan for that."
Quoting from the manifesto, he assured that the Rs 1,000 provided monthly as "rights grant" for women will be doubled to Rs 2,000.
Under the Pudhumai Penn and Tamil Puthalvan schemes, college students currently receiving Rs 1,000 per month will get Rs 1,500. The breakfast scheme will be extended up to Class 8, benefiting 15 lakh students, Stalin said.
Under the proposed "Illatharasi" scheme, homemakers will be given Rs 8,000 worth of coupons to purchase or exchange household appliances like washing machines, refrigerators, TVs, grinders, mixers, microwave ovens, and induction stoves—from shops, brands, and models of their choice, he added.
Stalin also assured that over 20 lakh farmers availing free electricity will be given modern pump sets without meters. The price for paddy procurement will be increased to Rs 3,500 per quintal. The price for sugarcane procurement will be raised to Rs 4,500 per ton. The price for milk procurement will be increased by Rs 5 per litre. The Old Age Pension (OAP) will be increased to Rs 2,000 per month. Assistance for differently-abled individuals will be increased to Rs 2,500 per month.