PWA to decide Cauvery protests after Deepavali

CHENNAI: The People’s Welfare Alliance which boycotted bypolls to three constituencies has planned to focus on protests demanding the formation of the Cauvery Management Board, while the DMK will be busy in bypoll work. The four-party formation did not attend the meeting convened by the DMK to discuss the issue, alleging politics behind the move. But, DMK and Congress leaders are accusing the PWA of considering politics above the Cauvery issue.

The PWA participated in the meeting convened by farmers on October 6 and took part in the two-day train blockade on October 17 and 18. Thol. Thirumavalvan, leader of VCK, a constituent of the alliance indicated that the protests would go to the next stage, if farmers themselves convened a meeting and invited all the parties.

VCK deputy general secretary Vanniarasu had criticised the resolutions and said the meeting had not taken the protests to the next stage and the resolutions lacked purpose. CPM  state secretary G. Ramakrishnan said the PWA would convene a meeting and announce the next Cauvery protest after Deepavali. The leaders had already held a meeting on the issue and continue their consultations further. However, the DMK is likely to involve itself fully in election campaign and all its leaders in the delta districts would be in Thanjavur to canvass votes for the bypoll.

Stalin demands white paper on road-laying works:

Leader of Opposition M.K. Stalin on Friday sought a white paper on works undertaken by the Comprehensive Infrastructure Road Development Programme (CRIDP) for the last five years at an estimated cost of over Rs 15,000 crores. The white paper should contain details on the status of the road development schemes, the number of roads completed and the number of road works for which tenders had not been called for. Besides, the white paper should also explain how many villages populated mostly by people of SC had been completed, he said in a statement here.

The infrastructure, especially roads are essential for the growth of the state's economy and they satisfy people's requirements and help to prevent road accidents. The white paper should be released either by Finance Minister O. Panneerselvam, who is handling the portfolios of Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa or the Highways minister ‘Edappadi’ K. Palanisamy, Stalin demanded.
Both the ministers have announced in the Assembly this year that Rs 15,000 crore had been allocated for road laying works under the CRIDP, he added.