EPS calls for Pongal payments

In a critique of the DMK government’s Pongal gift hamper distribution strategy, AIADMK’s general secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami has called for direct cash support to the people, emphasizing the need for financial assistance during festive times. Palaniswami demanded the payment of Rs 1,000 to all ration cardholders and specified additional support for those affected by various natural calamities. Expressing dissatisfaction with the current approach, Palaniswami urged the DMK government to provide Rs 5,000 to ration cardholders in Chennai and neighboring districts who were impacted by Cyclone Michaung. He extended this demand to include residents of flood-hit districts such as Tiruneveli, Thoothukudi, Tenkasi, and Kanniyakumari. Additionally, Palaniswami emphasized the importance of offering financial relief to those affected by the oil spill in the Manali-Ennore region, suggesting a support amount of Rs 5,000 for each affected individual. Drawing attention to the agricultural sector, he called for the direct procurement of sugarcane from farmers, citing the successful model implemented during the previous AIADMK regime. Meanwhile, former interim general secretary of AIADMK, V.K. Sasikala, echoed similar sentiments regarding the absence of a cash support component in the Pongal gift hamper. Sasikala expressed disappointment among the public and advocated for the government to directly purchase full-length canes from farmers at a rate of Rs 40 per piece, as opposed to the current Rs 33 per piece, which includes transportation and cutting costs. The demand for direct cash payments during the Pongal festival reflects the AIADMK’s emphasis on providing immediate financial relief to the people, particularly those affected by recent natural disasters and agricultural challenges. The party’s leaders assert that such targeted assistance is crucial in ensuring the well-being of the residents during festive times and challenging circumstances alike.