All set for launch of free Colour TVs to poor by MK

Chennai, Sep 14 (UNI) Yet another poll promise, which had virtually propelled the DMK-led DPA to power in the Tamil Nadu Assembly polls, will be fulfilled tomorrow with the launch of the free Colour TV scheme.

Amid fanfare, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister and DMK President M Karunanidhi will launch the distribution of free colour TV sets to poor people tomorrow, the birth anniversary of his political mentor and Dravidian stalwart C N Annadurai at his birth place in Kancheepuram district.

The launch of the most populist scheme, which drew flak from the Opposition AIADMK, was one of the most attractive promises made by the DMK in its election manifesto and in the budget for the year 2006-07.

Mr Karunanidhi would launch the scheme at the tastefully decorated Karasangal Samathuvapuram (equality habitats) at Paddapai in the neighbouring Kancheepuram district.

On September 16, his cabinet colleagues would commence the distribution of free colour TVs in other districts, barring Madurai district where the code of conduct had come into force for the October 11 Assembly bypolls following the issuance of the notification yesterday.

Finance Minister K Anbazhagan is scheduled to launch the scheme in Madurai.

Local Administration Minister M K Stalin would distribute the TV sets at Enathur Samathuvapuram, also in Kancheepuram district, while Electricity Minister Arcot N Veerasamy would hand over the TVs to those living in slum clearance tenements in Pursawalkam and Kotturpuram in the city.

Apart from state Ministers, Mr A Raja would be the only Union Minister to inaugurate the scheme. He would distribute the sets at his native Perambalur district.

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