In the recent released AIADMK’s Manifesto it was mentioned that hundred units of free power for households every two months, 50 per cent subsidy for women to buy scooters, free laptops with Internet for students in Class 11 and Class 12, eight grams of gold for women getting married, free cell phones for all ration-card holders, and Rs 40,000 crore in loans for farmers from 2016-2021.
The Chief Minister J Jayalalitha on Thursday has unveiled a string of freebies, particularly targeting women and economically weaker sections and apart from extending maternity leave from six to nine months, the AIADMK manifesto has also said that women would be trained in driving vehicles, with subsidies to be provided for buying auto rickshaws.
It was also questioned that the free power scheme at a time when the state run Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation Limited (TNGEDCO) is running at a debt of Rs 80,000 crore. Jayalalitha has promised to fix the price of state-backed Aavin milk at Rs 25 per liter.
It was also mentioned in the manifesto that there will be exclusive policy for granite mining, Rs 500 gift coupons for ration card holders during the Pongal festival, 10 Lakhs houses under various schemes and free WiFi in public places. Amma financial assistance to pregnant ladies will be raised to Rs 18000 and the manifesto has also promises nine months maternity leave. Whether these freebies will be of use to the public?
