PWA promises law to prevent honour killings

CHENNAI: People’s Welfare Alliance (PWA)  has promised to end caste-based discrimination in preventing entry of Dalits into places of worship in the state. It also promises half a litre of milk to poor families with infants and school going children free of cost.

“We will take firm measures to end untouchability that exists in different forms in Tamil Nadu. We will also uphold the right to worship of all people without any caste discrimination in all places of worship,” PWA coordinator and MDMK general secretary Vaiko said after releasing the alliance’s 80-page manifesto here.

CPI (M) state secretary G. Ramakrishnan, CPI secretary R. Mutharasan and VCK president Thol. Thirumavalavan were present.  Vaiko said if the alliance is voted to power, it would enact a legislation to prevent ‘honour killings’.

Repeating the assurance given in its common minimum programme released last year, the manifesto promised to introduce total prohibition and said the PWA would also launch awareness campaigns to wean people away from the influence of liquor.  It also suggests ways and means to compensate the revenue loss arising due to implementation of prohibition.

Citing the successful coalition governments in West Bengal and Kerala, the manifesto promises a coalition government to get rid of  the ‘authoritarian’ two party rule – AIADMK and DMK – in the last 49 years.

“We will constitute ethics committee comprising scholars, thinkers and academicians as members and they will have a watch on the functioning of the government and also provide advice,”  said the manifesto. The PWA also promises to set up Lokayukta to eradicate corruption.

“The Act will cover government administration up to the Chief Minister’s office,”  it said adding the alliance would take steps to end corrupt practices in registration department which acts as  root of corruption.

In a novel idea to attract students, Vaiko said if the alliance forms the government, it would provide extra marks for students who plant trees to protect environment, separate houses for transgenders, policies to protect MSME sector and free mineral water, among others. “We would also take steps for improving the lives of Sri Lankan Tamils,” Vaiko assured and added that minimum wages would be raised to Rs 18,000 per month.

The MDMK chief said milk and power charges increased by AIADMK government would be reduced by providing subsidy. Apart from promising waiver of all agricultural and educational loans, provision of free education and medication are among a slew of promises made by the alliance in its manifesto.