Karunanidhi greets people, lists Govt welfare programmes

Chennai, Aug 15 (UNI) Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi greeted the people on the occasion of Independence Day and urged them to remain united and work hard for the development of society.

In his message, he said the Government had initiated programmes like the Rs two a kg rice scheme, free colour TV sets for the poor, egg thrice a week under the nutritious noon meal scheme, LPG connections with stove and financial assistance to pregnant women for six months that benefitted the poor.

Everyone should work together to improve the life of the poor.

Leaders of various political parties also greeted the people of the State on the occasion.

CPI(M) State Secretary N Varadarajan said people should take a vow to hold aloft a foreign policy that would protect the country's sovereignty, end unemployment and untouchability and ensure there was a reasonable price for farm inputs and remunerative price for their produce to benefit poverty-stricken farmers.

Actor R Sarath Kumar, who is all set to launch his own political party, said it should be the people's endeavour to eradicate terrorism, communal and caste hatred, political injustice, poverty and corruption, which remained stumbling blocks to country's progress.

Prince of Arcot, Nawab Mohammed Abdul Ali, said according to the National Sample Survey Organisation, about 30 crore people lived below the poverty line. Justice has to be done to them by elevating their social status.

UNI