Coming out in strong defence of the Minimum Income Guarantee Scheme (MIGS) proposed by the Congress, the DMK on Thursday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of being “scared” of the promise, which he claimed would lift 5 crore families from poverty.
Addressing a public meeting in Madurai on Thursday morning, DMK President M K Stalin gave an assurance to the people that the MIGS, which envisages transferring Rs 6,000 to the bank accounts of women members of the family would be implemented if the Congress-DMK combine were to come to power at the Centre.
Stalin was canvassing votes for Madurai CPI(M) candidate and writer Su Venkatesan, who has written extensively on the age-old civilisation in Madurai on the banks of Vaigai River. He alleged that the BJP Government had stalled the excavation at Keezhadi, which has established the presence of an industrial civilisation during the Sangam era.
Reiterating his support for Rahul Gandhi as Prime Minister, Stalin said he “wholeheartedly” welcomed the proposal by the Congress president to provide a minimum income for the Below Poverty Line (BPL) families. those living under the Below Poverty Line (BPL).
“Congress has said it will provide Rs 72,000 a year to poor families which will help in eradicating poverty in the country. After the scheme was announced, Modi is scared, and the BJP is asking how the scheme will be implemented. I am seconding the proposal by Rahul Gandhi,” Stalin said.
He recalled that the BJP mocked the proposals by the UPA Government, of which DMK was a part, like waiving off farm loans and the MNREGA. “However, the Congress government showed that it can implement such schemes without much problem. The same can be said about MIGS as well. This scheme will be implemented so that poor is benefitted,” Stalin said.
In Tamil Nadu, he said the AIADMK Government has failed on “all fronts,” especially law and order and women's safety. “This government has to go along with the Modi government at the Centre. None of these governments are for the people,” Stalin said.