CM lists ‘Dravidian-model’ feats as govt enters 3rd yr

CHENNAI: With the DMK government stepping into its third year in office, Chief Minister MK Stalin on Saturday said everyone in the State has benefitted in one way or the other under the present government, “functioning as per the Dravidian model”.

Addressing an official function at Kalaivanar Arangam here to mark the completion of two years of his government, CM Stalin said the government has reached out to all eight crore people through its welfare programmes.

He listed a slew of initiatives including special nutrition for children, Rs 1,000 assistance to girl students, fare-free travel for women on government buses, breakfast for students in State-run schools and free electricity to farmers.

Cooperative loans, new power connections for farmers, crop loans, and new infra-projects including roads and bridges were among other initiatives he underscored.

Pointing to a few instances such as the sanctioning of a hearing aid provided to a kid from Taramani and a pension for a widow in Madhavaram who could not get assistance during the previous government, Stalin said his happiness was the happiness seen in such people when their needs were being met. He said the government was functioning as per his assurance on the day of the election results that his government would be for everyone and not just for those who voted for the party.

Without naming the previous AIADMK regime, he said steps were being taken to address the “deterioration” witnessed during the previous rule. The government is working on securing the State’s rights from the Centre and a dawn is created. “I will fully work towards fulfilling all the (poll) promises,” the CM said.

The event marked the commencement of the distribution of orders granting pensions to one lakh beneficiaries. The CM also distributed orders and certificates to beneficiaries of ‘Pudhumai Penn’ and ‘Naan Mudhalvan’ schemes.

Stalin also opened a photo exhibition on the government’s achievements and released a compact disc and a souvenir ‘Eedilla aatchi eerande satchi’ (Unparalled governance, two years of testimony). Ministers Duraimurugan and K Ponmudi, Chief Secretary V Irai Anbu, and MPs and MLAs took part.