Summary:
CHENNAI: A Coimbatore-based activist has approached the Madras high court to restrain the Tamil Nadu government from disbursing a Pongal gift of Rs 1,000 to all ration card holders irrespective of their financial status. Therefore, the decision to provide a cash gift of Rs 1,000 to all the ration card holders without considering their financial position is totally misconceived, particularly considering the financial condition of the state, Jesudass added.Relying on an RTI reply dated June 28, 2018, the petitioner submitted that the current tax revenue of the state is Rs 1,12,616 crore, whereas the total liability of the state is Rs 3,55,845 crore. Activist J Daniel Jesudass alleged that the government’s decision was irrational and unmindful.“When the state is in dire need of funds to restore normalcy in cyclone Gaja-affected districts, the government should not be allowed to bring such further burden to the treasury which would eventually passed on to the people of the state,” Jesudass said.He said it was the duty of the government to provide welfare measures to people, but such measures should be provided based on their financial position. This apart, the government has also planned to get a loan to the tune of Rs 43,962 crore.When the total loan liability of the state has already exceeded that of West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra, going forward with the decision to provide the cash gift to all 25 million ration card holders would not be wise and would further damage the financial position of the state, the petitioner said.Noting that he had no objection to providing the gift to deserved people but was opposing only the decision to extend it to all card holders, the petitioner wanted the court to restrain the government from doing so.The PIL is likely to be taken up for hearing by the court on Wednesday..