The AIADMK coordinator, O. Panneerselvam, on Monday contended that Finance Minister Palanivel Thiaga Rajan providing data in the State Assembly last week on the level of possession of household appliances by families in the State, signalled the ruling party’s disinclination towards fulfilling its electoral promises.
While clarifying that he would not like to dispute the figures provided by the Finance Minister, Mr. Panneerselvam, in a statement, said in 95% of the cases, the people had bought houses, two-wheelers and air conditioners on credit and perhaps, the study, which the Minister had relied on for quoting the data, did not reveal how many families were reeling under debt burden, how many houses had been auctioned and the loss of human lives.
Referring to the Minister’s observation on the prevalence of mobile phones in the State, the AIADMK coordinator said mobile phones had become a necessity and in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, many parents, after taking loans, had even got phones for their children to attend online lessons.
As for Mr. Palanivel Thiaga Rajan’s reference to some tax rates and fees not being increased for years, Mr. Panneerselvam said it was clear that the number of beneficiaries of welfare schemes would be reduced and the tax rates would go up. The AIADMK leader pointed out to Local Administration Minister K.N. Nehru’s reported interview that there would be marginal changes in bus fare and milk price in support of his argument. He accused the DMK government of trying to increase the electricity tariff, bus fare, registration fees and the rates of property tax, water tax and professional tax.
In a separate statement, the AIADMK co-coordinator, Edappadi K. Palaniswami, referred to cases of gang-rape in Vellore and Virudhunagar and many other crimes in recent weeks. He contended that in the 10-month-long rule of the DMK regime, there was no security to women, children and police officials. He called upon the State government to sternly deal with anti-social elements.
