DMK releases manifesto, promises lower fuel prices; jobs for locals

13:00 March 13

DMK releases its manifesto for Tamil Nadu elections

Chennai: DMK President MK Stalin on Saturday released party manifesto for the April 6 Assembly elections in the state, making a slew of promises including free computer tablets with data card for students and a law to provide 75 per cent of jobs in the state to locals. DMK general secretary Durai Murugan and Lok Sabha leader T.R. Baalu were also present at the time of the manifesto release.

Some of the party’s promises include reducing the fuel prices, subsidies for cooking gas, fast track Jayalalitha death case, live-telecasting assembly proceedings and increasing maternity leaves.

The opposition DMK in Tamil Nadu on Saturday released its party's manifesto Financial assistance of Rs 25,000 to one lakh persons going on pilgrimage to major Hindu temples, increase in maternity leave period and assistance, cut in fuel prices and steps to ban NEET were the various promises made by the
Dravidian party.

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"DMK promises a reduction in petrol & diesel prices by Rs 5 & Rs 4 per litre respectively and a subsidy of Rs 100 on LPG gas cylinder, in its election manifesto," Stalin said.

Releasing the manifesto, Stalin said if his party was voted to power, first-generation graduates will be given preference in government jobs, reservation in private sector will also be insisted and promised subsidies for small farmers.
 

"Tablets with free data will be provided to a government school and college students," Stalin told a press conference at party headquarters Anna Arivalayam.

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If voted, the party will reduce the rates of petrol and diesel by Rs 5 and Rs 4 per litre, he said in an apparent reference to tax cuts.Also, a subsidy of Rs 100 towards LPG cylinder will be provided.
 

Steps will be taken to expedite the submission of a committee (Arumughasamy Committee) report formed to probe the circumstances leading to the death of Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa in 2016, he said. Further, a law to set aside 75 per cent of jobs in industrial houses for locals will be passed if the DMK was voted to power, he added.
 

Promising an allocation of Rs 1000 crore towards the renovation and consecration of Hindu temples, Stalin assured to provide Rs 200 crore for churches and mosques. Better water management, supply of clean drinking water, increase in women's reservation in government jobs, hiking old age pension and establishment of 'Kalaignar Unavagam' eateries as part of hunger eradication were the other assurances provided by the DMK.

The party also announced a list of 12 candidates ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections in the Union Territory of Puducherry earlier today.

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With PTI inputs