Reversal of stand on sand quarrying, a victory for AIADMK: Jaya

Chennai, May 26 (UNI) Opposition AIADMK General Secretary J Jayalalithaa today described as a victory to her party, the DMK Government's decision to continue with sand quarrying reversing its recent decision to hand it over to private parties.

In a statement here, she said the decision showed the state government's vacillation in taking decisions on matters concerning the welfare of the people and development of the state.

Justifying the party's decision to boycott today's all party meeting, convened by the government to discuss the sand quarrying issue, she felt there was no need to convene the meeting to reverse the decision.

Instead of convening the meeting, the government could have issued a statement, announcing the decision, she said adding the meeting was a waste of time for all those leaders who attended it.

She said the decision to take over sand quarrying was taken by her government in 2003, based on a Madras High Court order.

The DMK Government, which continued with sand quarrying, for reasons best known to it, decided to hand it over to the private parties on May 19.

After stiff protest from the Opposition and from its own allies, the government has now reversed its decision after an all-party meeting, she added.

Alleging there were many ''power centres'' in the government, she said the government had announced building a satellite city and after a protest from her, gave up the idea.

Similarly, the government wanted to introduce metering for water on the lines of electricity, but dropped the idea following protests.

She said it took nearly a week for Chief Minister M Karunanidhi to take a decision on accepting the resignation submitted by Social Welfare Minister Poongothai.

Recently, Mr Karunanidhi reversed his decision to celebrate his birthday and these things showed that nothing was under his control, Ms Jayalalithaa alleged.

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