DMK's Contributions To Tamil Nadu And The Latest Dravidian Model Of Governance

Though the current trend is the Dravidian model of governance, DMK has implemented many pioneer projects in Tamil Nadu before this. Without the knowledge about such projects, today's younger generation just mounts criticisms comparing the differences observed in the development of other states with Tamil Nadu.

Prior to Dravidian model:

Among the unique least-spoken projects implemented by DMK before the Dravidian model, the important one is the State government's Public Distribution System (PDS). Under this scheme, fair price shops are functioning in the state.

The universal PDS is best implemented only in Tamil Nadu, no other states have such a well performing scheme. It is after 1970, the PDS system was made universal in Tamil Nadu, before that, the scheme was concentrated in some cities like Chennai, Coimbatore etc.

During Annadurai's period '1 padi rice per rupee' scheme was introduced in Chennai which was later expanded to Coimbatore alone, but during Karunanidhi's period, particularly after 1970, the PDS scheme reached the rural areas also.

M. Karunanidhi, a pioneer personality:

After becoming the CM of Tamil Nadu in 1969, Karunanidhi introduced the Public Distribution System (PDS) scheme in 1972; issued ration cards to all families by 1975 and brought the Beggars' Rehabilitation Scheme.

Such a scheme for a particular group has never been introduced by any political parties before. There was a period, when beggars used to roam at night which has been witnessed by our elder generations but today there is no such group as beggars in Tamil Nadu, thanks to DMK regime, all of them are rehabilitated.

According to recent statistics, a small economic shock has pushed many people in Gujarat to below the poverty line. If you take California, a developed state and one of the richest states in the US, still has homeless people who sleep on the pavement.

Countries that developed in poverty:

Suppose a country experiences a small economic crisis, it will lead to lay off (unemployment) which will result in people's inability to pay house rent, car EMI etc. Such a condition, where a small economic crisis results in people ending up in streets, is called the rocket effect.

To avoid rocket effects and the resultant adversities, Tamil Nadu government has built many embankments and one such embankment is Public Distribution System (PDS) scheme. In Tamil Nadu, one can purchase 35 kg of rice free of cost with one ration card.

The intention behind this, is the prevention of food shortages for a family, which is not taken care of even in advanced states like California where people are forced to the streets during an economic crisis. PDS is one of the shock absorbers introduced by the Tamil Nadu government with foresight and anticipation of future events.

As a continuation of this, Karunanidhi formed the Tamil Nadu Slum Clearance Board in 1970 whose primary objective is to construct houses to uplift the standard of living of slum dwellers. After checking the food and shelter boxes, DMK's attention turned to education and introduced the Chief Minister's Breakfast scheme.

Tamil Nadu, the best state in education:

On 16th September 1920, mid-day meal scheme was introduced in Chennai Thousand Lights Corporation School following a resolution passed during the reign of Sir P.T. Rajan. A scheme introduced during the reign of Justice Party was value added by Kamaraj, M.G.R and Karunanidhi.

Karunanidhi by adding egg to the meal made it a nutritious meal. A scheme first introduced by Tamil Nadu is now implemented by many states, not because of conviction, but because of the instructions given by the Supreme Court (SC) and mandatory provisions under the National Food Security Act.

When there was less than 20% literate people in Tamil Nadu, former CM Kamaraj provided opportunities of primary education to the masses. 15700 primary schools in 1950, have been increased to 29000 in 1962 and 814 higher secondary schools in 1955 have been increased to 1996 in the year 1962.

In order to encourage the pursuit of education, essentials such as pencils, uniforms, footwears, bags, free bus passes, bi-cycles and watches were given. Following this, CM Stalin is providing Rs.1000 per month to girl students to pursue higher education, which resulted in the increase of Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) to 52% (Meaning: out of 100 eligible students, 52 students go to college) in higher education.

DMK government ensured higher education which has never been done by any government before and now, the Dravidian model has introduced an incentive scheme for the provision of Rs.7500 to civil service aspirants.

Tamil Nadu, a role model state in reservation:

The Dravidian movement was the first movement to politically take up the issue of inequality in education. Tamil Nadu has the highest share of reservation in India i.e. up to 69%. In 1989, when no one cared about women rights in India, the former CM Karunanidhi, enacted a law for the provision of equal rights to women in family property.

As another form of women rights, CM Stalin introduced 'Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thogai Thittam', for which the government has planned to spend 30000 crores till the end of the current regime. This financial assistance scheme is another embankment built to prevent poverty.

Recognition to the 3rd gender:

The DMK government which made property rights for women a reality, is now concentrating on the LGBTQ+ community. For the community, a Tamil Nadu Transgenders Welfare Board was established during Karunanidhi's period and now CM Stalin has published a glossary containing inclusive terms for the LGBTQ+ community.

The DMK government turned to the medical field after ensuring food; shelter; education and property rights. CM Stalin has introduced one of a kind scheme in India namely 'Makkalai Thedi Maruthuvam' scheme (Medicine at people's doorstep).

Medical Structure in Tamil Nadu:

Prevention is better than cure and in order to prevent diseases and deaths, diagnosis in the early stage is the first step. Early diagnosis of illness is hindered due to issues like unawareness, troubled family finances and many such obstacles. Realising this difficulty, CM Stalin introduced the 'Makkalai Thedi Maruthuvam' scheme.

As per the scheme, a team visits each house and conducts medical examinations for everyone above 40 years of age. After the survey, the government has clear data of the percentage of people having diabetes, hypertension etc.

When compared to the old data, the number of persons with certain medical conditions in the new data have increased manifold. The Union government has also introduced a similar scheme but the difference between the two is the approach.

In the state government's scheme, the team approaches each individual's house to conduct the medical exam, giving the state a uniform clear data which will be helpful in formulating better plans but in the union government's scheme medical exam will be conducted only for people visiting the government hospital which will not be the case all the time.

As opposed to the criticisms of the residents of Tamil Nadu, the officers coming from other states for inspection are amazed by the infrastructure available in the government hospitals of Tamil Nadu.

Flabbergasted Gujarat officials:

A few days back, a team of officials from Gujarat came to inspect Kalaignar centenary multi-specialty hospital. After the examination of facilities, they were amazed by the availability of diverse medical infrastructure in one place.

The Tamil Nadu Medical Services Corporation Limited, a public company managed by the Tamil Nadu government was formed to cut the expenses of medicine procurement. The earlie practice where each government hospital procured the needed medicines separately was changed due to the fact that separate purchase of medicines leads to different procurement cost.

In order to establish a common pricing system and to reduce the procurement expenses of the government, Tamil Nadu Medical Services Corporation Limited was established. After its establishment, the company started placing bulk orders of medicines for all hospitals including primary health centres and multi-specialty hospitals.

One of the benefits of bulk procurement of medicines is the purchase of medicines at a lower cost (1 rupee medicine can be purchased at 50 paisa). Bulk procurement encourages competition among companies for the provision of medicines at lower costs but earlier pharmaceutical companies were not interested in small orders.

Additionally, the government started procuring generic medicines and stopped procuring branded medicines. Generic medicines which are already cheaper could be procured at even cheaper rates due to the placing of bulk orders in lakhs.

Seeing the profit made in this way of procurement of medicines, the World Bank implemented the same in the third world countries. In India, such a practice exists only in Tamil Nadu and the public company established by the Tamil Nadu government has made tremendous contributions in this regard.

Free life-saving advanced treatments:

DMK regime extended the ambit of treatments provided in the government hospitals. Kalaignar's Medical Insurance scheme introduced on 23.7.2009 covered the costs of life-saving advanced treatments in hospitals.

Till January 2022, approximately 1.37 crore families benefited under the insurance scheme which made the advanced treatments affordable for the common public. The next beneficial scheme in the medical field is the Organ Transplantation programme in Tamil Nadu introduced in 2008, during the period of Karunanidhi.

The particular scheme gave birth to the Transplant Authority of Tamil Nadu (TRANSTAN) in 2015. DMK's next target is the general knowledge of the people after taking care of food, shelter, education and medicine. In order to expand the knowledge base, former CM Karunanidhi provided free colour television sets.

Are all goods given to the public, freebies?

DMK was slammed by PM Modi with the accusation of promoting 'Revdi culture' (Revdi - a Rajasthan sweet gifted during festivities which is metaphorically compared to freebies given by the government) which is a huge barrier to the country's economic development.

As per economist Jeyaranjan, pork barrel politics is what hinders the economic development of a country. Pork barrel politics means targeting the voters of specific constituencies during the election time by giving freebies to persuade them.

Pork barrel politics cannot be compared to the provision of free rice by the DMK government to 2.20 crore ration cards which is a welfare measure. Such measures are not concentrated on a particular group of people or a particular constituency, it is something done for the welfare of the people across the state.

Tamil Nadu, an industrialised state:

The reason for the progress of Tamil Nadu into a state full of industries is the implementation of various unique, diverse and people-centric schemes. Tamil Nadu contributes one-third to the GDP of the country.

Apart from this, Tamil Nadu has become a hub in the global level and first in India for the manufacture of e-bikes, electronics, leather products, automobiles etc. Sathya Pratha Sahoo, the Chief Electoral Officer of Tamil Nadu said, "Tamil Nadu is the only state in India where elections are conducted in a peaceful manner."