New freebies will sink TN further in debt: Seeman

Madurai: Tamil Nadu, which is already in a Rs10.5 lakh crore debt, will have to borrow lakhs of crores more to implement the freebie schemes, NTK chief coordinator Seeman said here on Monday. He was speaking to reporters after filing his nomination for Karaikudi assembly constituency with sub-collector Ayush Venkat Vats at Devakottai sub-collector office in Sivaganga district. He was accompanied by his wife Kayalvizhi and mother Annammal.He accused chief minister M K Stalin of doublespeak, saying that as opposition leader, he had said people did not want freebies, only to announce freebie schemes now. Stalin has formed an alliance with 23 parties out of fear, and there is not an iota of honesty in it, he added. Criticising TVK's proposed financial assistance scheme for unemployed youths, he said one who provides employment is a true leader and administrator, and not one who gives Rs4,000 to the unemployed. Seeman said letting people float in floods every year and then providing flood relief is not good governance; rather, preventing flood damage in the first place is the hallmark of a good administration. He said it is unacceptable that Thirumavalavan, who is a member of Parliament, is contesting in the assembly elections. Seeman alleged that Congress and BJP introduced 100-day employment scheme only for votes and the project yielded no benefits. "Since everyone in my village goes for the 100-day work, my mother also went because she was alone, but she sat there without working," he said. Seeman said he wanted to know how many trees have been planted, how many roads repaired, and how many ponds desilted through this scheme.