Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Chief Minister’s reply to CPI (M) leader’s charge

CHENNAI: Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi here on Monday claimed that the government had been in the forefront in distributing free house site pattas to the poor.

Replying to a charge by State secretary of the CPI (M) N.Varadarajan that the DMK government had not implemented its election promises, including distribution of free house site pattas, Mr. Karunanidhi said so far 6.467 lakh free house site pattas had been distributed in the last two and a half years.

This apart about 2.095 lakh acres of developed land had been given free to 1.744 lakh poor farmers in the State for cultivation.

The Chief Minister said it was during the DMK regime that house site pattas were being given to the poor who had encroached, provided land was not required for any government purposes.

Patta distribution scheme which was initially planned for six months period was extended for an indefinite period due to demand by Communist parties.

The DMK government was also keen on honouring the promises the party had made on the eve of Assembly election.

Of 177 poll assurances, 128 had so far been fulfilled. Action was being taken in respect of other cases.

Similarly in the 2008-09 budget, the government had made 116 announcements of which government orders had been issued in 83 cases.

While work had been completed in 42 cases, it was in progress in other cases.

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