Sellur Raju ridicules DMK’s protest against government

The minister, who was here to inspect the government-run farm fresh outlets at Katpadi, pointed out that the DMK was once ousted from power on corruption charges and the Sarkaria commission had accused the DMK of having indulged in scientific corruption. “The DMK’s present protest was akin to a butcher talking of compassion,” he remarked.

“Past and present DMK district secretaries should be inquired over their personal assets. They did not become rich by working hard in stone quarries,” he said, adding, “now the people can understand the irony behind the DMK’s agitation against the AIADMK government.”

Referring to the farm fresh outlets in Vellore, which started operating from January 2016, he said all of them had earned a total profit of Rs 6 lakh from a total turnover of Rs 1.39 crore. The outlets not only supplied fresh vegetables to the people, but also ensured that prices in the open market remained under control.

He said following the recent wide spread rain, the government has decided to disburse crop loans to the tune of Rs 8,000 crore. 

Conveying that there was no shortage in fertilizer, the Minister said, cooperative outlets sold both chemical and organic fertiliser to farmers. 

Tension prevailed for some time at Reddy Thoppu on the outskirts of Ambur town, on Tuesday after public gheraoed two ministers demanding to expedite the construction of a road over bridge across the Chennai–Jolarpet railway track.

The railway line and the adjoining Chennai-Bengaluru National Highway pass through the Ambur town. As a result, those heading to the main town were being forced to take a circuitous route in the absence of a road overbridge.  

While Asanambut Road, Bethlehem, Reddy Thoppu, Kambikollai and nearby tribal areas, which come under the neighbouring Madanur panchayat union, are located on one side of the track, the main bus stand and important government offices are on the other side of the track. Though there is a subway at this point, during monsoon, rainwater stagnates preventing locals from using it.

The demand for a road overbridge across the railway track has been pending for nearly four decades. Though, the government in 2013 promised Rs 30 crore for the bridge, so far no action has been initiated. 

In this backdrop, when minister Sellur Raju and Nilofer Khafeel came for a function at Reddy Thoppu on Tuesday, public besieged them demanding immediate steps to construct the overbridge. Raju said he would take up the issue again and trusting his word, the public dispersed.