Karunanidhi promises to implement Rs two per kg rice

Chennai, Apr 12 (UNI) As the ruling AIADMK and its allies continued its onslaught against the DMK, saying its promise of rice at Rs two per kg was impossible, DMK President M Karunanidhi has declared that his first executive order would be to fulfill the promise, if the party was voted to power.

Addressing an election rally here last night, the DMK leader, decrying his critics, said, ''if I assumed the office as Chief Minister, my first signature in the file will be to make available rice at Rs two per kg in ration shops,'' amid loud cheers.

The crowd once again burst into cheers, when Mr Karunandhi said his second signature in the file would be to waive loans, availed by the farmers from cooperative banks.

Asserting that distribution of rice at Rs two per kg was absolutely possible, he said, ''if late Chief Ministers K Kamaraj and M G Ramachandran could fulfill their promises of noon meal scheme, why not rice could be given at a cheaper rate''.

Referring to criticisms that the State Government was already bearing a huge subsidy of about Rs 1500 crore by supplying rice at a subsidised rate of Rs 3.50 per kg and the DMK's promise was only to hoodwink people, Mr Karunanidhi alleged that these people were opposed to the scheme, which was intended to benefit the poor people.

He said all the promises made in the DMK election manifesto, including distribution of free colour television sets to 53 lakh households were possible.

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