Date:07/09/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/09/07/stories/2006090710030400.htm

Tamil Nadu

Government measures inadequate: Jayalalithaa

Staff Reporter

Claims 150 persons have succumbed to chikungunya

ANDIPATTI: Former Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa has said the AIADMK and its allies will hold a massive agitation against the State Government if it fails to save people from Chikungunya. The Government had not taken enough measures to prevent spread of the viral fever. Over one lakh people had been affected and 150 succumbed to the fever, she claimed.

Addressing a public meeting here on Tuesday to thank voters for having elected her again from the Andipatti constituency, Ms. Jayalalithaa criticised the lethargic attitude of the Government on Mullaperiyar issue and said the issue involved lives of thousands of farmers. Mr. Karunanidhi should not "betray" people of Tamil Nadu. She claimed that her government had taken all initiatives to raise the dam level till the last minute.

Reacting to State unit Congress president N. Krishnasswamy's remarks over LTTE issue, the AIADMK leader said she had never supported LTTE. "I am always against extremism and terrorism". The Congress had aligned with the DMK, which had been indicted by the Jain Commission. "I had written to Central Government to ban the LTTE in 1991 after assassination of Rajiv Gandhi. I had sent many reminders to extend the ban till date."

Many schemes announced by DMK government would not be implemented as the Government had not sanctioned funds for those schemes. The Government should promulgate the Cable TV Act keeping in mind interests of poor, she said. Ms. Jayalalithaa also demanded that the crop loan offered by nationalised banks be waived.