In fulfilment of its poll promises, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) government launched free distribution of cooking gas connections and gas stoves for Below Poverty Line (BPL) families on Sunday.
CHENNAI: In yet another fulfilment of its poll promises, the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) government launched the free distribution of cooking gas connections and gas stoves for Below Poverty Line (BPL) families on Sunday.
Launching the scheme, Chief Minister M Karunanidhi said the DMK manifesto for the May 2006 Assembly elections was not the one to attract voters but for mitigating sufferings of the people and to reduce the burden of the common man.
The then ruling party All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) and its allies, during the election, said the DMK's promises could not be implemented but his government had fulfilled most of them, he said.
He thanked Union Petroleum Minister Murli Deora, who also attended the function, for his assurance to the state government that the Centre would extend all help for the welfare schemes of the state.
DMK government has already waived farmers' loans to the tune of Rs 7,000 crore, distributed colour TV sets to the poor and sold rice at Rs two per kg as part of its poll promises.
Deora said over three lakh free gas connections would be provided in Tamil Nadu.
"The Tamil Nadu government has submitted a request in this connection and the Centre has decided to provide the connections to BPL families. In addition, a piped natural gas supply project will be launched soon in Tamil Nadu to benefit over two crore households, which will ensure that there is no shortage of Liquified petroleum gas (LPG) supply", he said.
He said more gas bottling plants would be set up in the near future to meet the demand for gas in Tamil Nadu.
He asked the Tamil Nadu government to take stringent measures to reduce pollution levels in the state and to consider installing Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) in all modes of public transport.
On the issue of petrol and diesel prices, Deora said the Centre was keen on reducing them subject to global oil prices.
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