Chennai, Dec 30 (BPNS)
The ruling DMK and the opposition AIADMK are in a war of words in Tamil Nadu over the contents of the Pongal gift scheme. While AIADMK leader and former Chief Minister, Edappadi K. Palaniswami (EPS) have stated that it was the relentless campaign undertaken by the party for the inclusion of Sugar Cane in the Pongal gift scheme, that the government finally relented and included it. The AIADMK, it may be recalled had announced a series of agitations if Sugar Cane was not included in the Pongal gift hampers.
Meanwhile, DMK leader and Minister for Cooperation in the Government of Tamil Nadu, K.R. Periyakaruppan retorted stating that the government had included Sugar Cane in Pongal gift scheme was motivated by the request of the farmers and not by the threat of the AIADMK conducting an agitation.
The Minister also said that the inclusion of Sugar Cane into the Pongal gift hamper would approximately cost an amount of Rs 70 crore. He also said that it was because of Chief Minister Stalin’s compassion for the farmers that led to the inclusion of Sugar Cane in the Pongal gift scheme.
EPS while speaking to media persons said that it was only because of the strong stand taken by the AIADMK that led to the inclusion of Sugar Cane in the Pongal gift scheme and not because of the Government taking an initiative.
The former Chief Minister also said that the weavers of Tamil Nadu are now facing difficulties after the state government provided poor quality Cotton baily for weaving dhotis and sarees meant for the Pongal gift scheme. He said that the state government was trying to disrupt the Pongal gift scheme which was introduced to the people of the state by the legendary Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, late M.G.Ramachandran (MGR) who was the founder of the AIADMK.
The AIADMK also called upon the Chief Minister, M.K. Stalin to provide an amount of Rs 5000 instead of the present Rs 1000 in the gift scheme and said that Stalin as leader of the opposition had called upon the then AIADMK government to include Rs 5000 in the gift hampers.
Meanwhile, the Cashew farmers association have demanded the state government include cashew in the Pongal gift hampers as more than a lakh Cashew farmers in Tamil Nadu depends upon the crop for a living, and including in the Pongal gift scheme would help the farmers get a bulk amount.
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