DMK promises free TVs if it wins

Chennai, Mar 29: The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) today promised to give free colour television sets to every family and make available quality rice at Rs two per kg if it comes into power.

The party manifesto, released by DMK President M Karunanidhi, contained as many as 36 provisions which included maternity assistance to pregnant women at Rs 1,000 per month for six months and free gas stoves to all poor women if it was voted to power in the May eight Asssembly elections.

Education fee which was increased several fold will be reduced and restored to earlier levels. Free computer training to youth in rural areas, employment opportunities for three lakh youth to fill posts lying vacant in government departments and monthly financial assistance of upto Rs 300 per month to unemployed youth are among the other promises made by the DMK in its manifesto.

The party, which announced free electricity to farmers in its earlier regime, pledged to extend the concession to weavers.

The DMK, heading the six-party Democratic Party Alliance (DPA), said all cooperative loans to farmers will be waived and concessions to government employees restored, which were waived by the AIADMK government.

It also committed to provide reservations for Muslims and Christians in education and employment sectors.

The party said it will reduce the raised bus fares, reinstall the Kannagi statue removed by the ruling government and decrease cinema outdoor shooting charges.

The party lowed to re-establish the MGR Film City which according to it has been razed to ground by the Jayalalithaa regime.

The DMK would also declare the birthday of Kamarajar on July 15 as the day of 'Opening of educational eye' and organise celebrations in the schools, the manifesto said.

UNI