‘State govt. should ensure all government buses are in good condition’

“Tamil Nadu government should ensure that the government buses operated in the State are in a good shape to avoid future accidents,” said CPI(M) State secretary P. Shanmugam.  

He visited the families of the victims who lost their lives in the bus accident in Sivaganga on Sunday.  

Speaking to journalists here on Monday, he added that the government should also consider increasing the compensation of ₹3 lakh granted to the families in cases of unnatural deaths like accidents to at least ₹10 lakh.  

While ₹3 lakh amount was fixed several years ago, now, considering the changed times and economic developments, the amount should be increased suitably, he added.  

“Since several of the injured passengers had many costly objects and cash during the accident, officials should be deployed to note down the details of missing objects and they should be compensated accordingly,” Mr. Shanmugam appealed.  

The cyclone Ditwah which has caused maximum damage to the properties and infrastructures in Sri Lanka, has also submerged close to 4 lakh acres of farmland in Delta region in the State, he noted.  

Thanking the State government for their prompt support to the island country, Mr. Shanmugam demanded at least ₹35,000 per acre for the affected paddy farmers.  

“Citing the natural disaster that has washed away fully grown crops, the Tamil Nadu government should seek relief funds from the Union government to carry out corrective measures in the region,” he added.  

Commenting on Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi’s request to change the name of Raj Bhavan to Lok Bhavan, he said, nothing was going to reverse just by changing the name.  

“When the Governor cannot act according to the Constitution than what good is it going to happen in just giving it a flashy name,” he questioned.  

With a closer view of the current political situation now, there will be a four-cornered contestation in the upcoming Assembly election. “Though nothing can be confirmed now, we are clear that our stand is opposing the ‘fascist’ BJP government,” he noted.  

Rejecting any future alliance with Vijay’s Tamilaga Vetri Kazhagam, he clarified they were clear with their ideology and allies.  

Mr. Shanmugam charged the central BJP government for rejecting metro projects in Coimbatore and Madurai. “Both the districts with a growing economy would surely witness a definite growth when the public transport system is well connected,” he added.  

Saying that it was a planned rejection, he questioned why the same project was approved for cities like Pune where the population was less than 20 lakh.