Anbazhagan seeks special Pondy session

AIADMK legislature party leader A Anbazhagan on Saturday demanded that a special session of the Territorial Assembly be convened to discuss issues such as the prevailing financial crisis, unemployment and intervention of Lt Governor Kiran Bedi in day-to-day affairs.

Talking to mediapersons here, Anbazhagan alleged that the Congress government continues to "cheat" the people on the free rice issue.

He also alleged that the funds allocated under the free rice head were diverted for other purposes, adding that the government had failed to provide free rice for 23 months ever since it came to power.

The AIADMK leader said when his party picketed the Chief Minister's office, State Civil Supplies Minister M Kandasamy had announced that cash for free rice for six months would be remitted into the bank account of the beneficiaries.

Though financial sanction for five months was given now, for nine months in this financial year alone the amount is due. Amount for another 18 months is also pending, he said.

Rs 160 crore was allocated for free rice in the current financial year of which Rs 40 crore had already been diverted for other purposes, Anbazhagan alleged, saying that presently Rs 78 crore was allocated towards five months’ cash in lieu of free rice. He said a sum of Rs 15.60 crore is required for one month of free rice and as such Rs 109 crore is required for the remaining seven months. However, there is only Rs 19 crore balance under the head, he charged.