Chennai: While confidently declaring that the AIADMK government in Tamil Nadu will last its full five-year term, Chief Minister, Edappadi K Palaniswami on Sunday made it clear that the AIADMK (Amma) party was not in the game of weaning more MLAs' from the other AIADMK (PTA) faction led by O. Pannerselvam.
Scoffing speculations to that effect, Mr. Palaniswami said, “Kavundampalayam MLA Arukutty joined us, but then, we haven't called on anyone to switch over to our side." He was speaking to journalists, while participating in a welfare assistance distribution function in Salem. Mr. Arukutty formally joined AIADMK (Amma) party at the function.
On the anti-ONGC protests at Neduvasal in Pudukkottai district that had crossed over 100 days; the Chief Minister said that only the Central government should resolve this issue and the State will provide necessary assistance to the people.
Responding to a query on exempting Tamil Nadu from Neet, Palaniswami said that the state government had been continuously pressing the Centre to exempt the state from purview of Neet. “In this regard, I had met Prime Minister twice and the state ministers have also raised the demand with concerned Central Ministers,” he said.
On the issue of detaining a college student in Salem under the Goondas Act, he said that the government was firm in ensuring law and order in the state. “The girl was held under Goondas Act as she is facing several cases and may disturb the education of other students,” he said.
Regarding book covers supplied free to students by Tamil Nadu government being reportedly used to make paper plates in Andhra Pradesh, he said the matter will be probed. “The state government will continue to fund 'Amma' food courts started by former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa for the benefit of poor people,” he added.
Earlier, while speaking at the function, the Chief Minister said that defying the words of those who said that the government will be dissolved soon, it has been ensured that the State government was being run efficiently and will continue for the next four years.
On the new projects, the Chief Minister said a drinking water project, at a cost of Rs 188 crore, is underway to supply drinking water to all village panchayats, town panchayats and Municipality in Edappadi constituency.
Various other projects including colleges, marriage halls and construction of a check dam at Sarabanga River are on the anvil in the district. “As many as 1,019 lakes and ponds were desilted at a cost of Rs 100 crore. Works to desilt another 2,065 lakes will start with the allocation of Rs 300 crore,” Mr. Palaniswami added.
