From Beggar Rehab To Metro Train: Tamil Nadu's Growth Saga In Karunanidhi’s Reign

The long reign of Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) in Tamil Nadu is generally seen with language affiliation, opposition to Hindi imposition, champion of reservation etc. But the credit for changing the State's infrastructure to a modern one goes to the party's regime only. From the development of industries to the development of technologies, the foundation for the scientific progress was laid down by former Chief Minister Muthuvel Karunanidhi.

Karunanidhi had been the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu for five times. He had also won the Legislative Assembly elections 13 times. He became the Chief Minister for the first time in 1969 after the death of Annadurai. He fought Assembly elections for first time in 1957 from Kulithalai constituency and won. His party members consider him as the "modern architect" of Tamil Nadu.

First reign (1969-76)

Karunanidhi's first reign was from 1969 to 1976. During this period, he introduced the beggars' rehabilitation scheme and also established the Slum Clearance Board. He empathetically took these actions after seeing the poor citizens sleeping on platforms and roads.

Tamil Nadu Water Supply and Drainage Board also came into being during this period. He also started the Tamil Nadu Adi Dravidar Housing and Development Corporation for the purpose of construction of concrete houses for Adi Dravidars. Moreover, he created a separate ministry for upliftment of the backward classes.

The most famous policy action during this period was the nationalisation of the mass surface transport system. This particular policy action brought all the bus transports under the administrative control of Tamil Nadu government. Next, he introduced a scheme for rural electrification also.

Being a representative of farmers of delta region, Karunanidhi introduced an Act for the tenancy rights of agricultural workers. To end the dominance of landlords in agricultural sector, he introduced a 15-acre land-ceiling limit. The implementation of this land reform resulted in the recovery of 1,78,880 acre. The surplus land was handed over to 1,37,236 farmers.

Some other notable policy actions during his first reign include the conversion of hand-pulled rickshaws to cycle rickshaws, giving government job to the legal heir of deceased government employee on compassion grounds and the introduction of SIPCOT industrial parks.

Golden period (1989-91)

This period was considered to be the 'golden period' for government employees. Karunanidhi fixed the salary of State government employees equal to that of their Central government counterparts. He also introduced allowances like Pongal bonus.

During this period, Karunanidhi introduced the Hindu Succession (Tamil Nadu Amendment) Act, 1989, giving property rights to women. It set an example for the whole country to implement reforms like this.

In addition, he introduced the Moovalur Ramamirtham Ammaiyar Ninaivu marriage assistance scheme. As per the scheme, financial assistance of Rs 5,000 was given in 1989, Rs 10,000 was given in 1996, Rs 15,000 was given in 2006 and Rs 20,000 was given in 2007.

Other noteworthy policy actions of this period include introduction of Dr. Muthulakshmi Reddy Maternity Benefit scheme, creation of women self-help groups throughout the State and the introduction of 20% separate reservation for Most backward classes like Vanniyar and Denotified tribes.

However, the most significant policy action of this period was the scheme for the provision of free electricity to farmers. It was praised to be one of the unique schemes introduced by a State government in the country.

Tech development (1996-2001)

This period marked the establishment of Tidel park in Chennai. Through the creation of a separate Department for Information technology, Tamil Nadu had gained significance in the field of technological development during this period. This paved the way for foreign companies to come to Tamil Nadu and for the creation of computer related employment opportunities to thousands of youngsters in foreign countries.

Apart from creating revolution in technology sector, Karunanidhi also provided free bus passes to students. In addition to this he provided rights to women which included 33% reservation for women in the local government setup and 15% reservation for rural women in vocational colleges.

The other significant policy actions of this period include erection of 133-ft Thiruvalluvar statue, desilting of rivers and ponds, establishment of High Court Bench in Madurai, etc. The biggest achievement during this period was the establishment of Asia's biggest bus terminal in Koyambedu, Chennai.

More development (2006-11)

After coming to power in 2006, he waived cooperative loans of worth 7,000 crore for around 22,40,739 families. Next, he granted crop loans of worth Rs 8,838.06 crore to 36,71,372 farmers. Apart from this, he gave a compensation amount of worth Rs 974 crore to 9,01,643 farmers. He shocked everyone by waiving the interest amount of loans taken till 31st March 2006 by Adi Dravidar farmers from Tamil Nadu Adi Dravidar Housing Development Corporation (TAHDCO) amounting to Rs 5.25 crore.

During this period, Karunanidhi decided to give 1,72,80,000 free colour television sets with the budget outlay of about Rs 3,742 crore. It was a head-turner moment in India. Before the end of his reign, 1,62,59,526 colour television sets were distributed. The credit goes to DMK and Karunanidhi alone.

That apart, he gave gas connection along with free gas stoves to 29 lakh families with a budget of about Rs 661 crore. He gave 2.13 lakh acre as free land to 1.79 crore poor agricultural workers. He ordered to give nutritious food to 73 lakh children and students who are between the age of 2 and 15 years. Along with the nutritious food, he also ordered to give eggs 5 days a week. For children who don't eat eggs, bananas were asked to provide.

Next, he repealed the TESMA and ESMA Acts which was introduced during ADMK reign with the intention to suppress the government employees. He also gave them the allowances which were stopped by ADMK. He implemented the recommendations of 6th Pay Commission in Tamil Nadu from June 1, 2006, with an annual additional expense of Rs 5,155.79 crore. The implementation resulted in the sanction of Rs 11,093 crore balance amount to government teachers. He cancelled the Prohibition of Forcible Conversion of Religion Act, which was introduced during ADMK's reign.

Free houses for poor families

He gave free house site pattas to approximately 8,30,495 poor families. He became the reason for the growth of confidence among students by cancelling the entrance exams for vocational courses and by providing free bus passes annually to 24,82,000 school students and 4,35,000 college students. Additionally, he built 6 new medical colleges in Viluppuram, Thiruvarur, Dharmapuri, Sivaganga, Perambalur and Thiruvannamalai. Varumun Kappom Thittam was implemented again and it proved beneficial for 1,70,50,085 poor persons in 18,742 camps.

Under Kalaignar Kapitu Thittam (Chief Minister's Comprehensive Health Insurance scheme), 1.34 crore families were registered. As per the scheme, many life saving surgeries were conducted for 3,03,328 poor persons at the cost of Rs 781.4 crore. He established a world-class Anna Centenary Library in Kotturpuram, Chennai, at the cost of Rs 179 crore. He provided 3% separate internal reservation for Arunthathiyars and 3.5% separate internal reservation for Muslims.

As a major highlight, he introduced the Chennai Metro Rail project with the financial assistance of Rs 14,600 crore from Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). In total, 104 such policy actions were implemented during Karunanidhi's reign.