Will never stop eggs in noon meals, says Tamil Nadu CM

Thoothukudi: Refuting the allegation that distribution of eggs under the nutritious noon meal scheme has been stopped, Chief Minister Edappadi Palaniswami in Thoothukudi reiterated that his government would never think of stopping egg under the nutritious noon-meal scheme introduced by the  former Chief Minister MGR.

Speaking at the MGR centenary celebration function here on Wednesday, the Chief Minister accused the DMK working president M.K. Stalin of spreading baseless rumours to destabilise the AIADMK government.

“He cannot succeed in his attempt on our government as we have got the people by our side,” said Palaniswami, who added that the nutritious noon-meal scheme, being the flagship project of the former Chief Minister and the founder of AIADMK, MGR and subsequently strengthened by the Jayalalithaa later, his government would never think of stopping eggs under the scheme benefiting around 69.3 lakh poor children.

Edappadi Palaniswami said that Thoothukudi district during the last six years since the AIADMK government assumed office in 2011 benefitted to the tune of Rs 16,885 crore through 42,692 schemes implemented by the state government.

The Chief Minister also formally inaugurated the fourth pipeline scheme to enhance drinking water supply in Thoothukudi corporation. Under the fourth pipeline scheme having the capacity of 86 million litres per day, 60,000 additional households in the city would get water connection, said the Chief Minister, who assured to sanction 34 new projects, including the creation of a new Taluk with Eral as its headquarters, as demanded by the elected representatives in Thoothukudi district.

Earlier, speaking at the function the deputy Chief Minister, O. Panneerselvam said that the DMK working president has been accusing Tamil Nadu government and the AIADMK of going against federalism.

“He should remember that it is during the DMK rule the rights of Tamil Nadu had been ripped off by the Centre. It is our Amma, who successfully fought for the rights of Tamil Nadu in issues like the interstate water sharing disputes,” said O. Panneerselvam, who  added that DMK need not take lessons on protecting the state’s welfare.

Man climbs cellphone tower on convoy path

High drama prevailed as an AIADMK office bearer climbed a cellphone tower on the convoy path of the Chief Minister in Thoothukudi on Wednesday.

Truck driver Thangapandian (36), son of Kasi of Vadakkukaraseri village near Thoothukudi, the local secretary of the EPS faction of AIADMK climbed the 70-feet cell phone tower demanding the closure of Sterlite and to check rising pollution level in Thoothukudi.

Attempts by police and fire service personnel to near him failed as Thangapandi threatened to jump if they came up. Police brought his wife Parvathi along with his two daughters, however refused to talk to his wife and family members.

He continued his protest for around two hours despite rains and ended his protest once the Chief Minister’s convoy passed the spot.