Committed to welfare measures, says Edappadi K Palanisamy

Edappadi K Palanisamy claimed that in the list of projects inaugurated on Wednesday, there were fish jetties in Ramanathapuram district and many other welfare measures. Claiming that the DMK government had allotted Rs 193.33 crores for the welfare of fishermen in 201, he said the AIADMK government in 2016 had set aside Rs 743.79 crores for the welfare of fishermen. This shows that AIADMK government, like MGR, is always concerned about welfare of fishermen, he said. 

Quoting the recent incident where a Rameswaram fisherman was shot dead by Sri Lankan Navy, he said that the government had immediately issued a cheque of Rs 5 lakh for the family of the deceased fisherman and had also directed the Ramanathapuram district administration to continue the treatment for another fisherman who also sustained bullet injuries. He had also asked the Sri Lankan government to stop shooting at Tamil Nadu fishermen. 

He further claimed that AIADMK government is working intensely to solve drinking water crisis that is expected in the coming months. To fight drought and to recharge the water table, various measures and schemes worth Rs 300 crores had been allotted. 

He also said that steps are being taken to tackle water scarcity in urban areas. Public Works Department has been allotted Rs 25 crores to increase water levels in water tanks which would ultimately pave way for recharging water table.

In a move reminiscent of late Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa, Palanisamy narrated a story, only it was aimed subtly at former Chief Minister, O.Panneerselvam. Narrating the story, he said, “There was a green and lush tree in which many birds enjoyed the shade of the tree. One day, God thought of testing the allegiance of the birds on the tree by making the tree dry. When the tree became dry and all the leaves were shed all but one parrot left the tree. When the tree asked the parrot why was it still sitting on the dry tree despite the tree, the parrot replied that it was born in the tree and the tree is like a mother to her. The tree had safeguarded it from all tough situations and no matter how dry the tree becomes, it would still be on the tree, said the parrot. Moved by the parrot’s reply, God said the tree was not dry but He had made it dry to test the amount of love and allegiance that the birds had for the tree and by saying so he turned the tree greener”. 

After completing the story CM said that no matter how much difficulty the party faces he will not leave the party unlike some members, by indirectly referring to OPS and his team, who had left the party for much greener shades. The story received thunderous applause from the party men. 

Earlier, the Chief Minster announced 7,972 new works and projects for 9 southern districts worth Rs 1,236.74 crore, on Wednesday. 

In the morning, he inaugurated the projects ear-marked for Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi and Kanniyakumari districts. Later in the evening Palanisamy inaugurated new works and projects for six districts including Madurai, Sivaganga, Ramanathapuram, Virudhunagar, Theni and Dindigul.