Chennai, 18 December (H.S.) : The All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) has formally clarified its stance on the Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Bill, two thousand twenty-five. General Secretary Edappadi K. Palaniswami, while welcoming the Union government's decision to increase the guaranteed workdays from one hundred to one hundred twenty-five, expressed strong reservations regarding the proposed name change.

He urged on x (https://x.com/AIADMKOfficial/status/2001518243857695048?s=20) the Center to retain the original name of the scheme, honoring Mahatma Gandhi, and cautioned against altering its foundational character. The party leader emphasized that the focus should remain on providing consistent livelihood support to the rural poor without erasing the legacy of the Father of the Nation.

Responding to sharp criticisms from Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, Palaniswami pointed out the alleged failure of the DMK government to fulfill its own poll promises. He noted that during the assembly elections, the DMK had promised to increase the employment days to one hundred fifty and provide a wage hike, yet it has failed to implement these measures after coming to power.

The AIADMK leader questioned the moral authority of the Chief Minister to criticize others when his administration has allegedly weakened the state's position on several crucial issues. He further stated that his party would always prioritize the interests of the rural laborers and farmers of Tamil Nadu over political posturing.

The AIADMK also raised concerns about the new funding pattern, where the Center’s share is reduced to sixty percent. Party authorities stated that such a shift could place an immense financial burden on the state exchequer, potentially making the scheme unviable for local implementation.

They demanded that the Union government continue the hundred percent funding for wages as practiced under the earlier framework. Palaniswami asserted that the AIADMK would continue to function as a responsible opposition, supporting beneficial reforms while steadfastly opposing any moves that compromise the state's financial autonomy or cultural identity.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Dr. R. B. Chaudhary