TN Govt to launch another new scheme on Oct 2

Chennai, Sep 13 (UNI) Come October two, 'Gandhi Jayanthi Day', the Tamil Nadu government will launch a new scheme for the welfare of the poor, downtrodden and the middle class people.

Making an announcement to this effect at a function, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi however, refused to divulge the nature of the scheme.

The scheme would be of great help to the families of the poor and the middle class and it would be launched on Gandhi Jayanthi Day, he said, without elaborating further.

Defending the Rs one a kg rice scheme to be launched on September 15, the birth centenary of Late Chief Minister C N Annadurai, Mr Karunanidhi said the scheme was not his brainchild.

''Anna had announced in 1967 that if the DMK was voted to power, it would launch ''Padi Arisi Oru Roobaikku scheme (Rs one kg a rice scheme). After coming to power, Anna could not launch the scheme due to paucity of funds'', he said.

The launching of the scheme on the occasion of Anna's birth centenary would be fulfillment of Anna's dream, he added.

Taking a dig at DMDK leader Vijayakanth for his critical remarks that the government was planning to provide rice at Rs one a kg, whereas salt was being sold Rs eight per kg, Mr Karunanidhi said if he is able to buy salt at Rs one kg, let him purchase it and eat it.

''I am prepared to appreciate him'', he added.

Earlier, Mr Karunanidhi donated Rs 18 lakh, he had earned for penning the dialogues for the Tamil film ''Uliyin Osai'', to 90 indigent film artistes and technicians, saying he was dsitributing his earning out of compassion and love for them.

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