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Mullaperiyar: "out-of-court solution possible"
R.K. Radhakrishnan
| Tamil Nadu Chief MinisterM. Karunanidhisays inter-State disputes can be solved through people-led initiatives. Excerpts from an interview: |
M. Karunanidhi: "There is no move to scale down or discontinue any welfare scheme."
You have been closely involved in the Cauvery water dispute issue for about 38 years. Having read the entire order of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal, do you think the final order is fair to all parties to the dispute?
As far as Tamil Nadu is concerned, the final award of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal offers solace. I would be happy if the farmers of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka accept this award. Because of the Tribunal order, the quantum available to Karnataka has not decreased. Tamil Nadu's share has not increased much. If people of both the States think deeply on this, there could be a path to peace.
Not much headway seems to have been made on the Mullaperiyar issue. Is there still a chance for an out-of-court settlement? After all, the CPI (M) is an ally here...
The Communist Party of India (Marxist) is our ally. But when it comes to issues like this, irrespective of parties, it is State identity that takes prominence over any alliance. In Kerala, it is not merely the Marxists who are raising their voice on the issue; all parties join in. Similarly, The CPI(M) in Tamil Nadu — though the CPI(M) is the ruling party in Kerala — is lending its voice to support the rights of Tamil Nadu on the Mullaperiyar issue. Hence, if people of both the States come forward to conduct themselves in a humane manner, it is possible to find an out-of-court solution.
Farmers across the State are agitated over rising input costs. The Left parties have often been talking of an agrarian crisis in the State. Has the Government been giving serious thought to this issue?
It was because the government prioritised the welfare of farmers and agricultural labourers that it had implemented many schemes for them. For instance, the Uzhavar Sandhai [Farmers Market] scheme, which was introduced earlier [by the DMK Government], was widely welcomed. Though the next government [the AIADMK] discontinued the scheme, we have revived it. It was with the welfare of farmers in mind that free electricity was introduced by the DMK Government — for the first time in India. It was the DMK government that wrote off Rs.7,000 crore [in] cooperative loans of farmers and also reduced the interest rate on cooperative loans. To study the problems of farmers and find solutions, a high level committee has been established with the Chief Minister as chairman, with experts and representatives of farmers as members. A separate law has been enacted for the social protection of farmers and farm labourers.
Has the Government finalised its views on contract farming and genetically modified crops?
Any decision will be taken based on the welfare of farmers. Neither the DMK party nor the DMK government will do anything against farmers.
What are the major achievements of your Government in the past eight months?
The one kg rice for Rs.2 scheme; the writing off of cooperative loans of farmers amounting to Rs.7,000 crore; the reduction in interest rate for cooperative loans; the two-eggs-a-week scheme for school children; the law to celebrate the birth anniversary of Perunthalaivar Kamaraj as `Education Development Day'; the introduction of Tamil as a compulsory subject in schools; the reintroduction of the marriage assistance scheme and enhancement of the amount under the scheme to Rs.15,000; the Rs.6000 assistance to [poor] pregnant women; the abolition of the system of appointment of teachers on consolidated pay; the appointment of 17,185 teachers, 1,759 lecturers to colleges and polytechnics; the reappointment of 13,000 family welfare staff; [the extension of] the free electricity scheme to handloom and powerloom weavers and farmers who obtained connections under the self financing scheme; the establishment of separate welfare boards for those working in the unorganised sector; new welfare boards for fishermen; village temple priests and domestic workers; the introduction of welfare scheme for farmers and agricultural labourers; the doubling of the monthly financial aid to the old, widows, handicapped and indigent artists; the zero tax budget; a number of concessions to the film industry, including the cancellation of entertainment tax; the scrapping of the law on ban on religious conversions; the withdrawal of the tax on hank yarn; the removal of sales tax on essential food items; the distribution of free television sets [to the poor]; the distribution of land to landless farmers; the monthly financial aid scheme for unemployed youth; and the free LPG stove and connection scheme are among the achievements of the government.
Pilferages are common in any mass welfare scheme. Having learnt from the operation of the welfare schemes such as the Rs.2 a kg rice scheme, what measures are in place to contain pilferages?
District Collectors and District Supply Officers have been strictly advised to continuously monitor PDS outlets. The border check-posts have been strengthened. The law has been amended to book rice smugglers under the Goondas Act. Above all these, the Food Minister [E.V.Velu] conducts surprise inspections and takes appropriate and timely action.
The free gas stove and LPG connection scheme will ensure that women in villages do not spend their day looking for firewood. Is there a scheme in place to ensure that the women are gainfully self-employed?
It was with the aim of making women economically independent that the DMK government introduced the concept of Self Help Groups. The scheme was started in November 1989 as the Women Development Scheme and has now grown to have about 50 lakh members. The DMK government is functioning with the aim of enrolling one crore women members in the Self Help Groups.
I learn that the State Government is compiling a list of all welfare schemes operated by all departments. Is there a move to rationalise these schemes? Will some schemes be curtailed or discontinued?
Several departments operating similar schemes has to be avoided and every one of the weaker sections should derive benefit out of at least one scheme. A situation has to be avoided where one section of people corners the benefit of all schemes and a large majority are deprived of any benefit. This is the aim of the announcement and operation of many new schemes as well as compilation of the schemes. There is no move to scale down or discontinue any welfare scheme.
Your meetings with Sai Baba, Mata Amritanandamayi, and earlier with Jaggi Vasudev have come in for criticism from some quarters. What were the compulsions that made you share a stage with them?
Sai Baba had spent over Rs.200 crore for the Chennai drinking water scheme and I participated in an event to thank him. Mata Amritanandamayi had constructed 400 houses for the tsunami affected in Nagapattinam and I participated in an event to receive the keys of the houses from her, on their request.
Jaggi Vasudev had embarked on a plan to plant 10 lakh saplings all over Tamil Nadu and I participated in the inaugural event after they requested me. There was nothing wrong in felicitating anyone who came forward to help in any scheme that was useful for the country.
You have been very guarded in your comments about the judiciary even after the TANSI verdict. Do you endorse the criticism of the judiciary made by your Electricity Minister?
Your comments on the performance of the UPA government at the Centre.
Your party has consistently opposed the entry of FDI in retail trade. Will you join hands with the Left parties to pressure the Union Government on this issue?
Do you think that Special Economic Zones are necessary for India's development? Is it desirable to displace large populations for SEZs or industries or even large townships?
Special Economic Zones are needed for India's development. But if people are put to hardship during the development of SEZs, then the basic aim of creating such zones will be lost.
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