Date:29/01/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/01/29/stories/2007012907260100.htm

Back

Front Page

No Cabinet expansion for now, says Karunanidhi

Special Correspondent

There is no pressure from Congress: Chief Minister

Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi addressing presspersons in Tiruchi on Sunday.

TIRUCHI: Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi on Sunday ruled out the expansion of the Cabinet "for now."

Talking to presspersons here, the Chief Minister, however, promised to take into consideration the issue of non-representation in the Cabinet from backward central districts such as Nagapattinam, Pudukottai, Perambalur and Karur, where the verdict overwhelmingly favoured the ruling alliance in both the Assembly and local body polls.

"There is no pressure from the Congress in participating in the State Cabinet," he said responding to a query.

On the final award by the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal, slated for February 5, the Chief Minister said, "We are expecting a good and positive verdict."

Referring to the demand made by farmers of the Nagapattinam district to postpone closure of the Mettur dam by a week to save the standing crops, Mr. Karunanidhi said the dam was closed every year on January 28. He justified the closure saying that the dam had only 46 tmcft of water and that there must be adequate water for release on June 12 for the next crop season. Farmers who had made a representation to the government on the issue had started their farm operations late. They were scattered and could manage with other sources, he said.

Adverting to the demand of Pattali Makkal Katchi founder S. Ramadoss that all government orders should be issued in Tamil, the Chief Minister said that but for the ones referred to the Governor, all government orders were being issued only in Tamil. When asked whether a proposal for `equitable school education' would take shape this academic year, he said efforts were under way. He agreed to consider a proposal for the formation of a committee to translate Tamil literary works.

Sethu issue

Responding to the apprehensions expressed by the AIADMK leader Jayalalithaa over the Sethusamudram Canal project causing damage to Adam's Bridge, he recalled her declaration that she would not rest until the project was implemented. The implementation of this project was also mentioned in her party's election manifesto.

On the establishment of TIDEL Parks in Tier Two cities, Mr. Karunanidhi said that after Madurai and Coimbatore, the projects were receiving attention in Tiruchi, Salem and Tirunelveli.

The Chief Minister said the Government was pursuing with the Railway Ministry the proposal for introduction of `Bullet Trains' in the State. When his opinion was sought about a second term for President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, he said, "We are yet to think about it."