Chennai: Sending out a clear message that the ruling DMK was not against religious sentiments, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on Saturday asserted that his Dravidian model of governance never hindered the people’s religious faith.
Speaking after inaugurating the first ever Muthamizh Murugan Ulaga Manadu (Global conference on Lord Muruga) at Palani, one of the six abodes of Muruga via video-conferencing from Chennai,
he said each people will have different type of beliefs which has no barriers.
The DMK’s dravidian model government never stood against this, he said.
Moreover, the government has been functioning taking into consideration the welfare of all religious faiths, he added.
Observing that his dravida model rule was committed to the principles of everything for all, Mr Stalin said he had time and again been explaining to the people that the government was committed for the development of all sectors, all societies and all districts.
In line with this, it was also administering the Hindi Religious and Charitable Endowments department in an efficient manner and has been taking all measures for the people and improving amenities for the devotees, he said, listing out various steps taken by the government in this regard.
In a bid to remove the myth that the DMK government was atheist, the Chief Minister said in the last three years, 1,355 temples were consecrated, renovation works were carried in 8,436 temples at a cost of Rs 3,776 crore, works are being carried out in adi dravidar temples in rural areas at a cost of Rs 50 crore, temple towers were built in 27 temples at a cost of Rs 62.76 crores, rope car services were introduced in several temples, including Palani, Tiruneermalai, Thirukazhukundram temples at
a cost of Rs 80.50 crores, 6,140 acres of encroached temple lands valued at Rs 5,377 crore were recovered from encroachers, daily annadhanam (free meals) scheme was being implemented in
756 temples in the state benefitting 82,000 people who were ensured daily food, among others.
“What is listed out here is very less. There is much more than this. The achievements of the HR and CE department has been chronicled in the forma of a book. You, including the media, should read this and the media should ensure that these achievements reached the people”, he added.
The crowning glory to these achievements was the holding of the Global Conference on Lord Muruga at Palani, he said, adding, this event will find a special place not only in the history of HR and CE department, but also in the spiritual history of the State.
UNI GV 1825
