TN Govt's rice scheme would not eradicate poverty: Ramadoss

Chennai, Aug 31 (UNI) PMK founder-leader S Ramadoss, an acerbic critic of the ruling DMK, today said Rs one-per-kg rice scheme to be launched by the Tamil Nadu Government from September 15 to commemorate the birth centenary of the party-founder and former Chief Minister C N Annadurai, would not help in eradicating poverty in the state.

Referring to Chief Minister M Karunanidhi's announcement that 1.86 crore people would get benefit under the scheme, Dr Ramadoss in a statement here said this only showed that still so many people were not able to buy rice under the present Rs two per kg scheme in Fair price shops.

''How can one feel happy about this scheme (Rs one-per-kg rice)'', he added.

The government, instead of reducing the price of per kg of rice sold in fair price shops from Rs two to one, should increase the purchasing power of the people, which could be achieved by ensuring job guarantee to all.

Apart from ensuring jobs, the Government should also ensure that the entire earnings earned by the people reach their families by closing down liquor shops across the State, which was also one of the dreams of Mr Annadurai.

Disputing Mr Karunanidhi's claim that Tamil Nadu was in the forefront in attracting investments and creating lakhs of jobs, Dr Ramadoss said Tamil Nadu did not figure in the top ten States, as per the recent list released on industrial investments.

''Newly created States like Chhattisgarh and States like Rajasthan and Orissa figure in the list'', he said, adding Mr Karunanidhi's claim that Tamil Nadu was among the top three States in wooing investments proved wrong.

''The study by the Industries Body only proved my allegation right that commercialisation of lands was the prime motive behind inking (MoUs) for setting up Special Economic Zones(SEZs)'', he added.

Dr Ramadoss also criticised the State Cabinet's decision to amend the land ceiling act to enable industries, hospitals and educational institutions own more than 15 acres of land.

UNI GV KVV SV RAI2010