No funds allotted to develop Madurai, says Udayakumar

MADURAI: Criticising the DMK led government, RB Udayakumar, Deputy Leader of the Opposition of Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly said no funds have been allocated for the development of Madurai.

After submitting a petition to Madurai Collector S Aneesh Sekhar on Saturday seeking to fulfill a charter of demands for the people of Thirumangalam constituency, Udayakumar urged the need for early completion of the much awaited AIIMS Hospital project at Thoppur.

He said Chief Minister MK Stalin inspected the ongoing works for constructing a Kalaignar memorial library in Madurai, but he never paid a visit to the AIIMS project site so far.

If the Chief Minister is really concerned about the people of Madurai, he should release a list of schemes implemented for the development of Madurai during his participation in ‘Mupperum Vizha’ scheduled on September 15.

The erstwhile government extended old age pension benefits of Rs 4,300 crore to 37 lakh beneficiaries, but it’s concerning that the present government, which ahead of polls in its manifesto announced to increase the monthly assistance, is not properly implementing the scheme.

Further, Udayakumar said long pending demands among people for removal of toll gate at Kappalur should be met and felt the need for expediting the Uchapatti-Thoppur satellite township project and four laning of Thirumangalam- Rajapalayam section.

Catering to the needs of farmers, the government should release water from the Vaigai dam through the 58 Canal scheme, which was done on a trial basis during the previous regime.