Cement at Rs 200 per bag will be sold through TNCSC:Karunanidhi

Chennai, Jan 12 (UNI) Accusing some parties of trying to gain political mileage from the cement issue, Chief Minister M Karunanidhi today said cement would be sold at a subsidised rate of Rs 200 per bag to economically backward and lower middle class people through the Tamil Nadu Civil Supplies Corporation (TNCSC).

In a statement here, he said the cement companies have promised to offer 20 lakh bags of blended cement every month in all districts and they would be distributed to the people through the TNCSC at Rs 200 per bag.

He said genuine beneficiaries from the economically backward and lower middle class sections, who would be constructing about 1000 sq ft of building, could apply through the Tehsildar and get allotment letters.

He said based on the allotment letters issued by the Tehsildars, cement would be distributed to the people through all the 209 zonal TNCSC godowns in the state.

Mr Karunanidhi regretted that when all sections of the society hailed the government's move to bring down the price by holding talks with cement companies, some of them, were trying to take political mileage on this issue also.

Without mentioning DMK's ally and PMK Founder Dr S Ramadoss by name, who crticisied the government's move, the Chief Minister said some of them were creating unnecessary apprehensions and trying to create confusion in the minds of people by issuing statements critical of the government's decision on the issue.

Countering it, Mr Karunanidhi said it was the duty of the government to once again explain how the cement, procured from the manufacturers, would be distributed to economically backward and lower middle class people.

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