Singappen rollout to gather pace after appointment of officials, says K.A. Sengottaiyan

Minister for Revenue and Disaster Management K.A. Sengottaiyan on Saturday said the implementation of the Singappen initiative would gather pace once the required officials were appointed and administrative arrangements were in place.

The Minister, along with Minister for Handlooms, Textiles, and Khadi M. Vijay Balaji, MLAs, and Collector S. Kandasamy, chaired a review meeting with officials at the Erode Collectorate. Addressing the media after the meeting, he responded to criticism over the delay in rolling out the scheme and said it was a new initiative that required dedicated personnel for its effective implementation.

“Only 20 days have passed since we assumed office,” he pointed out. Without naming anyone, he added: “They said they would neither blame nor disturb the government for six months. But they have started criticising us within six days.” Referring to the closure of Tasmac outlets, Mr. Sengottaiyan said despite repeated demands during the previous regime to shut liquor shops near places of worship and other public areas, no action had been taken for five years. In contrast, Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay had ordered the closure of over 700 such outlets within two days of assuming office, he said.

On complaints that water had not reached over 70 lakes and ponds under the Athikadavu–Avinashi project, he said the scheme, conceived before the COVID-19 pandemic, had encountered certain technical issues. These would be identified and rectified. On crimes against women and children, Mr. Sengottaiyan said the police had arrested the accused in the Coimbatore child sexual assault and murder case within 24 hours and invoked the Goondas Act. The government would seek a speedy trial and ensure an early verdict that would set a precedent for the country, he added.

On the Mekedatu issue, he said Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay had strongly raised the matter during his meeting with the Prime Minister. He also pointed to continuing concerns over the release of Cauvery water by Karnataka to Tamil Nadu. Commenting on protests by farmers’ organisations, he said the government needed adequate time to address their demands and questioned the need for continuous agitations without allowing such time.

On farm loan waivers, he said the government had fulfilled its election promise to extend relief to small and marginal farmers. If there were grievances, Mr. Vijay will examine them, he added.

He said the government had no intention of discontinuing any welfare scheme, regardless of which government introduced it, and that the ruling government’s responsibility was to ensure effective implementation. Referring to Amma Clinics, he added that they had been discontinued during the previous regime.