Chennai: Chief Minister K Palaniswami Tuesday defended the one-time Rs 2,000 dole to BPL families in Tamil Nadu and turned the tables on the DMK, which said it was for the scheme, though the party did not agree to the way it was rolled out.
He also said that the assistance would be deposited in the bank accounts of the intended beneficiaries by the end of this month.
A day after announcing the payout, the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister denied having unveiled it with an eye on the coming Lok Sabha election and pointedly asked a DMK member if he was for or against the initiative.
Responding to DMK legislator K Ponmudi in the Tamil Nadu Assembly on the issue, Palaniswami said that in addition to the drought which prevailed in many parts of the state, people faced hardship due to Cyclone Gaja.
Farm labourers, one of the beneficiaries of the scheme announced on Monday, did not get adequate remuneration due to such factors, he said.
“We have announced the scheme only after factoring in these matters and not with an eye on the polls. This (assistance)is being given to all BPL families, irrespective of party affiliation. It is meant for the working classes of Tamil Nadu,” he added.
Palaniswami asked Ponmudi whether it was ‘right or wrong’ for the government to provide such an assistance.
To this, the DMK leader said he was okay with the scheme “but not with the way” it was being rolled out.
Ponmudi, a former Minister, however did not elaborate.
Later, intervening during the debate when the matter was once again discussed by DMK member S Austin, Palaniswami said the assistance would be deposited in the bank accounts of the beneficiaries by the end of this month.
The DMK, during its previous regimes, had backed doles for the poor. (PTI)
