Chennai: Taking on the Opposition for its
criticism that the Tamil Nadu government has failed to control
price rise, ruling DMK on Thursday said it was not a mere regional
issue and efforts are being taken to ensure that the common
man do not suffer.
Deputy Chief Minister M K Stalin told the Assembly
that his government was taking all steps to ensure that the
poor people did not suffer from price rise.
"Price rise issue has always been used (as a
criticism) against any government. But this is not just a
regional or national issue but a global one," he said while
winding up the debate on the motion to thank the Governor for
his address to the Assembly.
Stalin said both the Centre and state governments were
taking efforts to control the situation and recalled the
meeting convened by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to discuss
the situation.
"Chief Minister (Karunanidhi) has convened a meeting
of officials in Chennai tomorrow to discuss the price rise
situation," he said.
Stalin said various schemes by the government,
including providing rice at Re one kg in PDS shops and
distributing a packet of provisions at subsidised rates were
being implemented to ensure the "poor don`t suffer".
He recalled Finance Minister K Anbzahagan`s statement
in the Assembly on Wednesday saying price rise was like a
natural calamity for which no individual could be blamed.
As part of the government`s policy of establishing
medical college in every district, Puthukottai and
Viruthunagar have been included besides Ramanathapuram,
Dindigul and Cuddalore, which were mentioned in the governor`s
address on January 7, he said.
PTI
