Free TV distribution to poor people will continue

Chennai, Sept 15: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi today said the distribution of free Colour Television (CTV) sets to poor people would continue to ensure that no house in the state was without a CTV.

Mr Karunanidhi launched the free CTV scheme, one of his most popular promises made in the DMK's election manifesto, at Karasangal Periyar Ninaivu Samathuvapuram near Padappai in Kancheepuram district on the occasion of the Birth Anniversary of his political mentor C N Annadurai.

He said 25,245 CTVs would be distributed in the first phase of the scheme, for which Rs nine crore had been allocated.

''The Government will not stop with this. The scheme will continue to ensure that no household in the state is without a Colour TV in the next five years'', he added.

''While 25,245 TV sets can be distributed with Rs nine crore, with a total budget allocation of Rs 750 crore, about 25 lakh TV sets can be distributed. We will distribute it'', he added.

Mr Karunanidhi said even some newspapers and magazines which were unbiased in carrying news stated that only 30,000 CTV sets would be distributed.

''These kind of schemes cannot be implemented in one go and can be implemented only in a phased manner', he said and added that the state ministers would distribute CTVs in various parts of the state tomorrow.

He said he would kick start the distribution of two acres of land to the poor landless farmers under the Wasteland Development Scheme, yet another significant poll promise, at Tiruvallur district on September 17, the birth Anniversary of Rationalist leader Periyar E V Ramasamy.

The Chief Minister said in the first phase, as many as 25,000 acres of developed land would be given to the farmers. The wastelands owned by the farmers would be developed and given back to them if they wished.

UNI