Murugan condems minister's statement

Puducherry, Sept 4 (UNI) Former CPM Secretary T Murugan today condemned Welfare Minister M Kandasamy for his alleged statement that the quality of Pontex clothes were not good and the government would stop procurement from it and provide polyister clothes to the poor for Deepavali.

Talking to newspersons here, Mr Murugan demanded that the minister should withdraw his statement, failing which the party and the trade unions would organise agitations including picketing of the office of the minister.

Mr Murugan said there was no complaint about the quality of the cloth from any quarter and supply of handloom clothes for free distribution through the Social Welfare Department was a right obtained by the weavers after much agitation in 1996 when Mr R V Janakiraman of the DMK was the Chief Minister.

Stating that there were 5,400 workers in the handloom sector, Mr Murugan alleged that the minister had reflected the view of a legislator. He should openly announce the name of the legislator, he demanded.

UNI