Long-term convicts to be freed based on SC norms: CM

AIADMK MLA M Thamimun Ansari (Nagapattinam) demanded that the convicts who had served their sentences for more than 10 years be released without any bar on religion. In his reply, Palaniswami said they would release the eligible inmates based on the guidelines issued by the Supreme Court, and the initiative would cut across caste, creed and religious boundaries.

DMK MLA Nandakumar (Anaikattu) said the marriages of youth living in three hamlets in hills were not happening as there was no road facility from foothills of Melasarampet to Kurumalai, Palampattu and Jardhankollai. Forest Minister Dindigul C Sreenivasan assured that action would be taken to lay roads to the said hamlets.

RK Nagar MLA TTV Dinakaran staged a walk out after he was denied permission to speak on the debate on motion to thank Governor’s address, on Thursday. Since Dinakaran had already given his request to Speaker P Dhanapal, he made his appeal in the House. Dhanapal replied that he would provide opportunity for the lone Independent legislator to speak on debate on some other day. “I wanted to provide the opportunity in the current debate, but I couldn’t, since several party leaders have to participate in the debate and would provide opportunity later,” Dhanapal said. The Speaker added that he had no intention to deliberately prevent him from speaking in the House.