Palaniswami criticises DMK government over rising taxes, inflation

AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami arriving for the Assembly session on Friday.
| Photo Credit: RAGU R

Leader of the Opposition Edappadi K. Palaniswami on Friday criticised the DMK government over the increase in taxes and prices of various commodities. He also took aim at the ruling party over its assurance to secure an exemption from NEET for Tamil Nadu, as well as other electoral promises.

Mr. Palaniswami also devoted a significant part of his speech in the Assembly to level allegations against the government with regard to the Anna University sexual assault case, and defended his erstwhile government’s handling of the Pollachi sex scandal. However, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin rebutted his charges.

Speaking during the debate on the Motion of Thanks to the Governor’s Address to the House, the AIADMK leader alleged that taxes on the public had increased manifold. Besides, the property guideline value and registration charges had also been hiked, he said.

Responding to his criticism, Minister K.N. Nehru said tax was being imposed by local bodies as the Centre had pushed for it. He added that the tax was being imposed gradually and annually, so that people do not feel the burden.

Mr. Palaniswami said the prices of essential commodities such as rice and cereals were increasing, and the poor and the downtrodden were at the receiving end. The cost of construction materials had also increased, he added.

Minister E.V. Velu said the State government would give special attention to the rising cost of construction materials. As for essential commodities, he said they were under the ambit of GST.

Referring to the impact of Cyclone Fengal, Mr. Palaniswami urged the government to speed up the enumeration process to assess the impact on farmers, and to announce adequate compensation.

In response, Minister M.R.K. Panneerselvam said officials were working towards it. As for Mr. Palaniswami’s criticism over rising electricity tariff, Minister V. Senthilbalaji said Tamil Nadu continued to have one of the lowest electricity tariffs in the country.

Flooding in Chennai was a cause for concern, despite promises made by Ministers in this regard, Mr. Palaniswami said. To this, Mr. Nehru said that barring works related to the Kosasthalaiyar project, others had been completed. With average rainfall, water would recede within a few hours, he said.

It was only because of lack of precautionary measures, people were affected due to release of water from Sathunur dam last month, Mr. Palaniswami charged. Mr. Velu maintained that sufficient precautionary measures were taken by officials.

Mr. Palaniswami criticised the poor condition of buses being operated by the State-run corporations. Minister S.S. Sivasankar said that the government was taking steps to get new buses.

To Mr. Palaniswami’s criticism of the government’s management of State finances, Minister Thangam Thennarasu said the government was borrowing within the prescribed limits, and underlined the additional expenditure it incurred due to recent natural disasters.

‘Not a slave to anybody’

The AIADMK was not a slave to anybody, Mr. Palaniswami said. He said his party had categorically parted ways with the BJP.

Mr. Palaniswami criticised the DMK for having an electoral alliance with the Congress but inviting senior BJP leader and Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to release a commemorative coin to mark the birth centenary of former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi.

“What is wrong in inviting him,” Mr. Stalin asked. To Mr. Palaniswami’s remark that it was a “political function”, Mr. Stalin clarified that it was a “government function”.

Mr. Palaniswami and Mr. Stalin also accused each other’s parties of being double-faced.

Their tense exchange led to noisy scenes in the Assembly hall.