CHENNAI: Escalating populist announcements ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections, AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami on Tuesday unveiled five more promises, including a one-time cash assistance of Rs 10,000 to all families to offset rising living costs caused by multiple taxes imposed by the DMK government.
The former chief minister has already announced 10 populist promises in two earlier instalments, including enhancing the monthly aid for women heads of family ration cardholders to Rs 2,000.
Palaniswami announced the third instalment of electoral promises at the AIADMK headquarters on Tuesday, marking the birth anniversary of former chief minister J Jayalalithaa.
He alleged that the DMK regime, led by Chief Minister MK Stalin, has imposed multiple taxes over the past five years, leading to a sharp rise in the prices of essential commodities and severely affecting the public.
Palaniswami said the taxes include property tax, house tax, electricity charges and drinking water tax, multiplying the daily financial burden on families. “To reduce this hardship, compassionate assistance of Rs 10,000 will be provided to every family,” he said.
The AIADMK leader also said graduates registered with employment exchanges and awaiting jobs would be given monthly assistance of Rs 2,000. Those who have studied up to Higher Secondary (+2) level and are registered with employment exchanges would receive Rs 1,000 a month.
Reiterating a promise made on Sunday at a public meeting in Ponneri, Palaniswami said relief assistance provided to fishermen during the fishing ban period would be increased from Rs 8,000 to Rs 12,000. He further said that, in addition to the Pongal gift hamper distributed annually during Thai Pongal, an amount of Rs 1,000 would also be provided.
Palaniswami announced that free electricity supply for handloom weavers would be increased from 300 units to 450 units, while the allocation for powerloom weavers would be raised from 1,000 units to 1,400 units. He also said loans taken from cooperative banks by small traders operating pavement shops in urban areas would be waived.
