Date:16/04/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/04/16/stories/2008041651750300.htm

Tamil Nadu - Tiruchi

Centre blamed for not “showing interest”

Staff Reporter

In Hogenakkal drinking water scheme

— Photo: R. Ashok

Honours: Thol. Thirumavalavan, centre, leader, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi, with the recipients of the awards in Tiruchi.

TIRUCHI: The Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Kutchi (VCK) has condemned the Central Government for remaining “silent” and not showing interest to intervene in finding a suitable solution to the Hogenakkal drinking water scheme.

A resolution to this effect was adopted at a meeting organised by the VCK in connection with the birth anniversary of Baba Saheb Ambedkar.

The party wanted the national parties to make their stand clear on this issue. It also wanted the implementation of the project as planned without postponing it by linking it with the Karnataka Assembly election.

By another resolution the party wanted the Central Government to make basic changes in the economic policy to check the sharp rise in the prices of essential commodities.

As an immediate measure, it wanted the government to ban on-line trading to control the rising prices.

Another resolution urged the Central and the State Government to completely waive loans obtained by those SCs and STs who were unable to repay it back owing to their poor economic condition. The Government should initiate this measure in order to rehabilitate the poor SCs and STs who were unable to repay the loans.

It wanted the Indian government to immediately suspend the military training to Sri Lankan personnel if it was really interested in finding a lasting solution to the vexed Sri Lanka’s Tamil’s issue.

It welcomed the Supreme Court judgment upholding 27 per cent quota for other backward communities. At the same time it also wanted the Centre to enact Legislation to remove 50 per cent ceiling and also the creamy layer standards.

The VCK founder Thol Tirumavalavan delivered the special awards at the meeting.

He also honoured and presented special awards to five outstanding personalities – ‘Ambedkar award’ to Inquilab, ‘Ayodhidasar award’ to A. Sakthidasan, ‘Periyar Oli award’ to V. Anaimuthu, ‘Kamarajar Kathir’ award to Kumari Anandan and ‘Semmozhi Gnayiru’ award to Kasi Anandan.

All the recipients of the awards replied to the felicitations.