Tamil Nadu: DMK manifesto promises prohibition

Mangalore Today News Network

Chennai, Apr 11, 2016, DHNS: Known for announcing freebies to woo the voters at the time of elections, the opposition DMK in Tamil Nadu on Sunday refrained from offering any major populist schemes while promising to introduce prohibition in the state.

However, the DMK said it would provide smart phones with agriculture information Apps to farmers. In addition, Wi-Fi facility will also be made available in all bus stands, public offices, court premises, hospitals and libraries besides providing 4G internet facilities for all students.

DMK president M Karunanidhi, who released the election manifesto, said he would introduce prohibition, reduce milk price by Rs 7 per litre and also introducing milk in noon meal scheme if his party was voted to power in the forthcoming elections to the state.

He said his party would take new measures to compensate the revenue loss incurred by closing the liquor shops in the state. “To provide treatment for alcoholics, an organisation under the departments of health and family welfare will be created through which de-addiction centres will be started in all districts for men with drinking habits where treatment and psychotherapy will be provided", he added.

Stating that periodic increase in the price of milk by the AIADMK government has effected poor and middle class families, Karunanidhi said “it is proposed to immediately reduce the cost of milk sold through Aavin by Rs 7 per litre”.
The DMK chief said in a bid to provide additional nutrition value, milk will be added to the noon meal scheme.

“A new legislation will be passed to give additional 50 days work along with 100 days provided under Mahatma Gandhi Rural Employment Guarantee Act totaling to 150 days in a year. Under the new law, workers will be used only for agricultural operation during crop seasons”, he said.

The DMK leader also said that his party will continue to urge the Centre to immediately constitute Cauvery River Water Management Board and Regulatory Committee required for legally enforcing the final award of the Cauvery Tribunal.
“In spite of the release of the final award by the Cauvery Tribunal, the Karnataka government is reluctant to accept the award and release the quantity of water awarded to Tamil Nadu and hence Cauvery Delta farmers are put to sufferings,” Karunanidhi claimed.