No neglect of freedom fighters: CM

By our Staff Reporter

PUDUKOTTAI, FEB. 11 The interests of freedom-fighters have never been neglected under the DMK regime in the State and the number of persons getting the `tyagi's' pension had gone up to 4000 from just six in 1967, said the Chief Minister, Mr. M. Karunanidhi, here today.

The Chief Minister made the observation with reference to a plea for sanctioning pension to the family of Mr. Ramaiah, who had participated in the freedom struggle and was also a Minister under the erstwhile Kamaraj regime.

The plea was put forward by the MGR ADMK General Secretary, Mr. S. Thirunavukkarasu, during a function to mark the unveiling of the statue of the late Durai Vijayaraghunatha Pallavarayar, former vice-president of the Thamizhaga Rajiv Congress, at Karambakudi near Pudukottai.

During the 20 years of Congress rule until 1967, just six `tyagis' had been granted pension in the State. However, the number of beneficiaries increased due to the efforts taken by himself and the former Chief Minister, Annadurai, he said. The monthly pension amount has also been hiked to Rs. 3,000 from Rs. 75 granted initially per month. The families of `tyagis' who had passed away were given a pension of Rs. 1,500 per month, he said.

He assured to look into the demand of the widow of Ramaiah. Mr. Karunanidhi said that Pallavarayar's death in a road accident, enroute to meet him (the CM) to press for the demand for the creation of a separate Karambakudi taluk, had caused him great pain. Though the TRC president, Mr. Vazhapadi Ramamurthy and Mr. Thirunavukkarasu had reiterated the same plea, he could not make any official announcement in view of the by-elections and he was deferring any announcement in this regard. However, he assured that he would strive to fulfill the wishes of Pallavarayar who worked for social equality.

Mr. Vazhapadi Ramamurthy, in his presidential address, said the statue of Pallavarayar had been installed through the efforts of the local residents in recognition of his distinguished service as the chairman of the panchayat union.

Mr. S. Thirunavukkarasu criticised the AIADMK General Secretary, Ms. Jayalalitha, for accusing the Chief Minister, Mr. Karunanidhi, of not concentrating on development works. In fact, it was she who was responsible for the stagnation of development of the Aranthangi constituency as no work was taken up during her five-year regime in the constituency, he said. Many new schemes have been sanctioned by the present DMK Government, he added.

The State Health Minister, Mr. Arcot Veerasamy, and others spoke. Earlier, the Chief Minister unveiled the statue of Pallavarayar and also declared open a memorial. A book on the life history of Pallavarayar was also released by the Chief Minister.

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Section  : Regional
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