tamil-nadu-women-empowerment-finds-special-mention-in-aiadmk-s-poll-manifesto

The opposition All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam on Friday in its manifesto for the April 19 Lok Sabha elections promised among other things to ensure Rs 3,000 monthly financial aid to women heads of economically backward families across the country.

The party would urge the Central government to provide the monthly financial assistance to the women heads of economically backward families in India, the manifesto released by party general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami said.

Appointment of governors for states in consultation with the Chief Ministers, an alternative examination for NEET, establishment of a Supreme Court bench in Chennai were among the 113 electoral assurances made by the AIADMK.

Key highlights from the manifesto include:

• The AIADMK promises to increase women’s financial assistance from Rs 1,000 to Rs 3,000 for women heading households with an aim to empower them

• Housing for the underprivileged is also a poll promise. AIADMK is pushing for government-funded housing schemes that provide homes free of cost to those in need

• Medical college admissions to be based on Class 12 marks. The party criticised the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET) as biased

• AIADMK advocates for greater regional inclusivity in national governance urging for the Parliament’s winter session to be held in Chennai

• Tamil Nadu’s water resources and agriculture found a special mention. The party asserted that all necessary measures will be taken to stall those construction that has adverse impacts on water resources

• Furthermore, AIADMK emphasised the urgent need for reducing the prices of life-saving drugs. It was noted that healthcare costs are skyrocketing and access to essential medications becoming increasingly challenging for many

• Increased naval security measures to safeguard the lives and livelihoods of Tamil Nadu fishermen

• The Central government should guarantee a minimum support price for agricultural products

• Provision of dual citizenship should be extended to Sri Lankan Tamils residing in India as refugees

• A pension scheme will be introduced for farmers

• Establishment of Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT) and Indian Institutes of Management (IIM) in Madurai

• Construction of an International Cricket Stadium in Coimbatore

• Establishment of an AIIMS hospital in Coimbatore