Chennai, February 24 AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami on Tuesday unveiled the party's third phase of election promises for the upcoming Assembly elections.
He said the AIADMK would provide a one-time ex gratia payment of Rs 10,000 to each family to ease hardships caused during the DMK's rule, when the prices of essential commodities rose sharply.
Making a series of announcements coinciding with the birth anniversary of former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa, Palaniswami said that, if voted to power, the party would provide a monthly stipend of Rs 2,000 to degree holders registered with employment exchanges and awaiting jobs, and Rs 1,000 to those who have studied up to Plus Two and are similarly registered.
He also announced an increase in relief assistance for fishermen during the ban period to Rs 12,000 from the existing Rs 8,000, a Pongal incentive of Rs 1,000 to ration cardholders as a festival gift, free power of up to 450 units for handloom weavers and up to 1,400 units for powerloom weavers, and waiver of cooperative bank loans for small traders operating shops on sidewalks in cities.
Addressing reporters at the AIADMK headquarters, Palaniswami alleged that people have faced hardship over the past five years under DMK rule due to rising prices of essential commodities, property tax, house tax, electricity tariffs, drinking water charges, and other levies, which have increased the financial burden on families.
He said free power for handloom weavers would be increased from 300 units to 450 units, and for powerloom weavers from 1,000 units to 1,400 units.
"All these schemes will be implemented once the AIADMK comes to power by increasing the state’s revenue," Palaniswami said, adding that his government had ensured good governance during the pandemic without causing hardship to the people.
Earlier, he had announced 10 assurances, including increasing the monthly financial assistance for women heads of families holding ration cards to Rs 2,000.
Justifying the ex gratia promise, he said people required financial support to "come out of the fiscal burden" caused by the DMK rule.
He also criticised the ruling DMK for allegedly failing to respect court verdicts, not appointing a permanent Director General of Police for law and order, and not acting on reports of the Enforcement Directorate concerning DMK leaders.
Replying to a question, Palaniswami said the party would soon begin seat-sharing talks with its allies.
