Chennai, Mar 7 (UNI) Joining issue with Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his oft-repeated remarks charging the ruling DMK with pursuing dynastic politics, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK President M.K.Stalin asserted that it indeed was a family rule; a rule that uplifts every family in the State”.
Mr Stalin also took exception to Mr Modi’s remarks during a BJP public meeting a couple of days back in the city that funds were given directly to the people’s accounts the Centre.
Mr Stalin termed it as an utter lie and said the State government has sought Rs 37,000 crore as flood relief, but the Centre has not allotted even one rupee.
Launching the web portal for the new scheme ‘Neengal Nalama’ (Are you well) and interacting with beneficiaries of various welfare schemes here, the Chief Minister said “I need not explain to you that funds due to Tamil Nadu have been gradually reduced.”
The Prime Minister had claimed that funds were being given directly to the people instead of being given to the State government. “Had he said who received the funds we could have inquired whether they had got it or not,” Mr. Stalin said.
The Chief Minister said people in eight districts were affected by natural disasters and the State government had sought Rs 37,000 crore from the Centre. “Has the Prime Minister allotted even one rupee? How can he utter lies?,” he asked.
Though the Centre had not allotted any money sought by the State for relief and restoration works, the DMK government had released Rs 3,406.7 crore from Tamil Nadu’s Disaster Response Fund and government departments to provide relief to the people.
“The government of Muthuvel Karunanidhi Stalin protects people’s interests. Your welfare is my welfare; the welfare of the Dravidian Model government and the Mother Tamil Nadu’s welfare. I work to protect your welfare. This government will continue to work for all of you,” he said.