Manifesto - Parliamentary Elections 2004:
Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam has a long glorious history dates back to 1912. It is the political evolution of a movement, Dravida Sangam started in 1912 by Dr. Natesan to facilitate the education of Dravidian students and that of South Indian Welfare Association, popularly known as Justice Party founded by Sir P.T. Thiyagarayar, Dr. Nair and Dr. Natesan. It draws its inspiration from the Self-respect - rationalist movement founded by Periyar E.V. Ramaswami in 1925, which later blossomed into Dravidar Kazhagam in 1944 through the intellectual genius of Anna.
Anna founded Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) in 1949 as a democratic movement to preserve and protect the rights of Tamil People and to achieve the ideals of Periyar.
DMK has been working towards an egalitarian, secular society free of caste - communal conflicts. It is also working tirelessly to uphold the culture, language, arts and civilization of the Tamils.
Saluting the memory of our great and beloved leader Anna, and thankfully cherishing the love of the Tamil people who have reposed their faith in our movement even during trying times, we place this manifesto before them.
DMK has been working to uphold the democratic values, to build an economically strong India, to foster a secular and egalitarian society and to raise the esteem of India in the eyes of the world under the leadership of Dr. Kalaignar M.Karunanidhi since 1969.
Hitherto the DMK manifesto was authored by Mr. Murasoli Maran, who had a stint of 36 years in the Parliament and who defended the rights of India in the Seattle and Doha WTO meets and a fighter till the end. This manifesto is yet another document that echoes his ideals and reflects his dreams.
DEMOCRATIC PROGRESSIVE ALLIANCE
DMK had been a constituent of the coalition governments formed in 1990, 1996 and 1999. It has thus contributed to the political stability of the country and for also to sustain the rights of the states.
When it was a constituent in the government of the National Democratic Alliance, it was ensuring the rights of minorities by arguing against the Common Civil Code, abolition of Article 370 and was insisting that all sections must abide the Supreme Court verdict in the Ayodhya issue. It was also demanding that
Tamil be declared as a classical language
Tamil be declared as one of the official languages of the Union government
POTA which was grossly abused as a tool for political vendetta be repealed
The interim order of the Cauvery Water Dispute Tribunal be implemented
The Tamil Nadu government be indicted for its anti people activities and authoritarian, undemocratic excesses.
In spite of many representations by DMK and other parties in the National Democratic Alliance through resolutions and delegations to the Prime Minister and in spite of repeated appeals by Dr. Kalaignar, no appropriate efforts were made by the Central Government to resolve any of the above issues. Further BJP leaders were politically exploiting the Ayodhya issue, contrary to the Common Minimum Programme of the NDA.
The BJP has supported the anti-conversion Act of the Tamil Nadu government (Tamilnadu Act 56/2002) inspite of the fact that the same was against the Common Minimum Programme of NDA. It remained as a mute spectator to the authoritarian and anti democratic measures of the Tamil Nadu government against peasants, weavers, transport workers, teachers, government employees, traders, students, media and the opposition parties.
This has created an untenable situation for the DMK to continue in the NDA.
FEDERALISM
It is DMK’s consistent stand that the Constitution should be amended for the creation of a wholesome and genuine Federalism with fuller autonomy for the states. A resolution insisting the State Autonomy was passed in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly way back in 1974 itself by the DMK.
DMK will continue to insist the abolition of Article 356 which empowers the dismissal of state governments.
It will continue to strive for the suitable Constitutional amendments that will empower the states to function freely and effectively in the changed new world order.
SECULARISM
DMK believes secularism is the binding force of the various sections of people living in India. DMK will guard the rights of the individual to pursue a religion of his/her choice as provided in Article 25 and 26 of the Indian Constitution and also the principles of secularism described in the preamble to the Constitution.
It will initiate suitable steps within the frame work of the Indian Constitution to repeal the anti-conversion laws passed in few states including Tamil Nadu.
As the Common Civil Code is contrary to the religious and other rights enshrined in the Constitution, DMK is firmly opposed to the enactment such codes in any form.
In the event of confrontation created out of religious chauvinism, DMK will stand by the victims of such conflicts and will fight against such chauvinism.
SOCIAL JUSTICE
DMK is a movement ushered in to secure the social justice for the backward community that was denied of equal opportunity in education and in employment.
V.P. Singh government, in which DMK was a constituent, implemented a reservation scheme for backward community, as recommended by the Mandal Commission and also as per the resolution passed in the Tamil Nadu assembly during the DMK regime. But it could not be implemented fully due to a verdict of the Supreme Court. DMK will move suitable Constitutional amendments to change the present scene which denies the reservation for the creamy layer among the backward classes and also imposes a ceiling of 50%.
The proposed Constitutional amendment will demand the right for the states to determine the percentage of reservation basing on the percentage of population of backward, most backward and dalits in the states. It will also insist that the central government offices in the states shall follow the norms and reservation determined by the state governments. It will also demand the implementation of Mandal Commission recommendations in the areas of appointment of teachers and enrolment of students.
DMK will not allow any Constitutional amendments contrary to the principles of social justice enshrined in Articles 15 and 16 of the Constitution. The reservation basing on economic criteria is contrary to Articles 15 and 16 of the Constitution. Besides economic criteria is bound to change with times. Hence DMK will oppose the economic criteria for reservation.
The era of Globalisation has seen the arrival of multinational corporations in India. But the MNCs and private sector are not following the reservation criteria in their appointments. DMK will insist for the implementation of reservation in jobs in the private sector units that receive financial assistance or any form of approval from the government. It will work for suitable Constitutional amendments in this regard.
DMK will ask for a Parliamentary Committee for the welfare of the backward community.
It will demand more powers for the National Commissions of the backward and the scheduled communities and will insist for measures for a holistic welfare.
LANGUAGE POLICY
Tamil as Official Language
DMK has been spearheading the movement against the imposition of Hindi and has suffered a great loss in its fight against Hindi.
Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru gave an assurance that English shall continue as the official language of the union until such time non-Hindi speaking people desire so. DMK believes that the only way to keep up this promise is to make all Indian languages as the official languages of Union Government. DMK will continue to insist the implementation of its resolution passed in its 1996 Tiruchi conference in this regard.
DMK will also insist that the written and oral tests for UPSC and other recruitment agencies be held in the official Indian languages of all the states. It will demand for an Act which will ensure the use of Tamil as a court language along with English in the Madras High Court. It will seek the translation of all law books into all the Official Indian languages.
Tamil as a Classical Language
DMK will continue to insist for the declaration of Tamil as a Classical Language as it would enable the allocation of funds for Tamil research by the Central government and would also facilitate Tamil research in various universities in India and abroad.
ECONOMIC POLICY
It is our view that the economic policy should enable a control over price line, reduce fiscal deficit, ensure faster growth in industry and agriculture, provides larger allocation of funds for social sector and thereby creating educational institutions, health facilities and employment in large numbers.
DMK believes eradicating absolute poverty is more than a moral imperative and it is an attainable goal.
Public sector undertakings were the basic structures for the development and were a major source of employment of the people in the region, where such undertakings were established.
Hence, DMK believes the profit making Public Sector Units should continue to remain in Public Sector and special programmes be chalked out for revamping the loss making units. DMK will put in all its efforts to resist the closure of Public Sector Units in Tamil Nadu such as, Hindustan Photo films, Salem Steel Plant, IDPL, and Madras Fertilizers. It will demand for pumping in required investment and providing updated technology for these units.
DMK is concerned with the reduced allocation of funds for education and health sectors. It apprehends such depleted allocations in spite of increasing population will upset the social peace.
DMK will demand the allocation of 6% of GDP for education as recommended by the Kothari commission. The present allocation of 3.2% to education in the 10th plan need to be raised to 6% and the present allocation of 0.9% in the health sector need to be raised to 2%. DMK will endeavor for this cause.
INFRASTRUCTURE
DMK will seek a new industrial policy that will provide for the improvement of infrastructure such as transport, electricity, link roads and water resources.
DMK will seek the judicious use of the present 100 billion dollar Foreign Exchange reserve in the areas of creating infrastructure suitable for industrial development, for the import of raw material needed for the value added exports.
It will seek the allocation of funds for the long pending Sethu Samuthiram canal project.
The harbour at Colachal (A natural Harbour) has all the natural advantage for shipping transport and could serve as a gateway for the east. Hence DMK will demand for the development of Colachal harbour into a modern port with international facilities.
We will ask for expedious development of second mine at Neyveli and for the expansion of the Thermal power plants.
REPEAL OF POTA
In spite of being a victim of Emergency DMK fought fervently against MISA in 1976. It has always been a crusader against oppressive and undemocratic acts. It is a well known fact that POTA which was introduced with the intention of curtailing terrorist activities was used as a political tool to settle scores. The abuse of such acts will continue to remain as long as such acts are in force. Hence DMK demands the repeal of POTA immediately.
FREEDOM OF PRESS
Freedom of Press in Tamil Nadu is currently in peril. The freedom of the fourth estate is under threat in a manner that causes concern. Numerous defamation cases are slapped on the media in Tamil Nadu and reporting the proceedings of the legislature causes practical difficulties. The alleged accused are sentenced even without providing an opportunity to defend them. We will endeavor to bring in suitable legislations to address this issue.
INCOME TAX EXEMPTION
DMK will insist the Central Government to raise the Income Tax exemption limit from the present Rs. 50,000 to Rs. One lakh to benefit the middle class and pensioners.
DEVOLUTION OF FUNDS TO STATES
It is the stand of DMK that 50% of the total revenue of the Central Government to be allocated to the states. We will insist on the modalities for such allocation.
LABOUR - EMPLOYEES WELFARE
Tamil Nadu government adopted repressive measures such as mid-night arrests, en-masse-dismissals of the government employees, teachers and workers to deny their legitimate demands. It also enacted a draconian legislation TESMA to serve this end.
DMK will fight for the withdrawal of anti-labour provisions of the ESMA and will ensure the basic rights of the government employees.
DMK will press for enacting a law by parliament protecting the right to strike which is endangered now, by ESMA.
DMK will insist for the creation of a National Authority for Labour Welfare to oversee the implementation of the labour laws.
WELFARE OF THE UNORGANIZED WORKERS
DMK believes the scheme announced by the Central government for the unorganized workers will bear no fruit.
During the DMK regime Welfare boards for various unorganized workers were created.
A grant of one lakh rupees was provided to the families of the deceased workers from the unorganised sector. A scholarship to the tune of Rs. 2,000 to Rs. 6,000 was offered to their children. In the event of loss of organs due to accidents, assistance to the tune of Rs. 50,000 to Rs. one lakh was provided to them. DMK will endeavor for the extension of this scheme at a national level. It will demand for a creation of a corpus fund by the Central Government for this purpose.
EMPLOYMENT GENERATION FOR EDUCATED UNEMPLOYED
The present unemployment problem in India causes grave concern. It has become difficult for one out of 100, to get a job.
DMK will ask for the special scheme to create jobs on a war footing to the educated unemployed youth. It will demand for suitable training centers throughout the country to meet this objective. It will also demand suitable changes in the industrial and economic policies.
Special efforts need to be made in the urban areas. DMK will insist for new job opportunities in the government sector, self-employment schemes entreprenial Development schemes, encouragement to small and tiny industries. It will ask for the creation of a small industries priority list.
EMPLOYMENT FOR SCHOOL EDUCATED
ONE MILLION WOMEN VILLAGE WORKERS
DMK will insist for the appointment of one million women who have studied upto tenth standard as village workers to propagate the various measures of the government with the beneficiaries.
ONE MILLION ROAD WORKERS
DMK will insist for the appointment of one million youth who have studied up to tenth standard as road workers for the maintenance of 13,000 kilometer golden quadrilateral roads, and National Highways.
AGRICULTURE
DMK will seek relaxation of regulations in the power distribution if and when state governments decide to provide free power to agriculturists.
DMK will strive for fixing Minimum Support Price for agriculture goods and for the improvement of agricultural productivity.
We will work for creating schemes for the commercial production and conservation of the processed food.
We will insist for the full compensation for the damage and loss occurred to the crops during natural calamities such as drought and floods.
We will demand for suitable measures to protect our farmers from the hardships created by the subsidies offered in contrary to the WTO norms, by the developing nations to their farmers.
DMK will seek proper measures for the disbursement of support price fixed by the Central government along with the additional price provided by the state governments to the sugarcane cultivators within three months of procurement.
These measures need to be implemented by the sugar mills in all the sectors including private sectors.
DMK will insist for redressal measures, to address the hardships of tea growers.
We will demand for schemes that will enhance the commercial cultivation of vegetables, fruits and flowers and for their export subsidies.
Efforts will be made to locate Regional Horticulture Board and National Institute of Plant Biology in Tamil Nadu.
BIO-TECHNOLOGY
DMK will insist for setting up National Institute of Bio-Technology in Tamil Nadu and for providing proper training for the rural youth in the institute.
RAILWAYS
DMK will demand for the conversion of all the meter gauge rail roads into broad gauge and for converting all the level crossing in the high-ways into sub ways/over bridges, in order to facilitate free flow of traffic.
We will also ask for a new railway division headquartered at Salem.
Demands will be made for doubling the railway lines in next ten years and for rail buses to link the sub-urbs and villages in Tiruchi, Madurai, Coimbatore and Villupuram with the nearby town.
MASS RAPID TRANSIT SYSTEM
We will strive for the extension of the MRTS upto Red hills, and for laying a new rail road from Thiruvanmiyoor to Mamallapuram in the first phase and the extending the same later on to Pondicherry. We will also ask for a survey to draft MRTS schemes in the bigger towns like Coimbatore, Madurai, Tiruchi, Salem and Thirunelveli.
CIVIL AVIATION
We will make efforts to upgrade the Madras International Airport to a world class airport with the updated technology. We will initiate steps to upgrade Tiruchi, Madurai and Coimbatore airports to international airports.
WATER TRANSPORT - HOVER CRAFT
DMK will insist for creating jetties at Chennai, Mamallapuram, Pondicherry, Pitchavaram, Nagapattinam, Kodiakarai, Rameswaram, Tiruchendur, Kanniyakumari, Colachal for hover crafts that will provide a pollution free transport facility in this sprawling east coast. This will also be a tourist attraction.
DMK will ask for setting up a separate board to create infrastructure and for the maintenance of the hovercraft service.
We will ask more trips of the passenger fleet between Chennai and Andaman.
IRRIGATION
DMK will insist for finding an amicable settlement through talks with Kerala government to raise the storage level of the Periyar dam to 152 feet.
DMK will demand the linking of the rivers in the peninsula as a first phase of linking Ganges with Cauvery. It will also seek for the expeditous building of linking canals.
DMK will insist for changing the course of the west flowing rivers in such a manner as its water could be used for drinking and irrigation purposes judiciously.
Attempts will be made to protect the water resources from being privatised for commercial purposes.
JOINT WASTE LAND DEVELOPMENT
DMK will endeavour for a joint wasteland development scheme wherein landless rural youth and women will participate in the development of waste lands. It will be joint endeavour of state and central governments with equal participation.
DRINKING WATER
DMK will make efforts for the supply of potable drinking water for habitats throughout India. It will ask for the appointment of an expert’s team to regulate the water supply.
DMK will insist for generous financial assistance to solve the drinking water crisis in Chennai and other towns and villages reeling under acute water shortage.
RAIN WATER HARVESTING
Efforts will be made to extend the rain water harvesting schemes throughout the country in order to conserve the ground water resources.
HIGH TECH “SEZ” PARK AT NANGUNERI
Even after acquiring the required lands at Nanguneri the High-Tech “SEZ” park envisaged by the previous DMK regime is remaining as a non-starter due to the indifference of the state and central governments. DMK will insist for the immediate implementation of the scheme.
WOMEN’S WELFARE
The previous DMK regime ensured 33% reservation for women in the local bodies. A similar legislation for providing 33% reservation in the legislatures is yet to be passed.
DMK will strive for passing the Women’s reservation bill and for empowering them with more seats in the parliament and in the state legislatures.
DMK will strive for providing for free education upto university level for the children of destitute women based on their annual income.
DMK will ask for a separate health scheme to improve the nutritional status of the women below poverty line.
It will also demand for priority for women in employment opportunities.
WEAVERS WELFARE
DMK will initiate steps for dialogue with appropriate authorities for resolving the long standing demands of the weavers such as
removal of excise duty levied for power looms
reduction of the tax and surcharge on Chitta
restricting the quantum of export of cotton yarn and reducing the excise duty on it
abolition of customs duty on imported cotton and waste cotton
HEALTH
DMK will ask for the extension of the popular, Preventive Health Care Scheme, implemented during the previous DMK regime, to the rest of the country.
EDUCATION
DMK will demand the withdrawal of the text books produced by the NCERT which contain derogatory myths on minorities and Dravidians.
FISHERMEN WELFARE
It has become a routine for the Sri Lankan navy to arrest and harass the fishermen from Tamil Nadu fishing in the waters of Palk Straits.
DMK will insist for setting up crisis management centre on the coasts of India and Sri Lanka.
The National Savings Scheme for fishermen has to be restored to status quo ante with the contribution from the centre - state - fishermen- in the ration of 1:1:1
DMK will strive for the creation of new fishing harbours and for the improvement of existing fishing harbours at Kanniyakumari, Tutucorin, Nagapattinam, Cuddalore, Pondicherry and Kasimedu.
DMK will initiate legal steps for setting up of a National Commission of Fishermen Welfare.
EX-SERVICEMEN WELFARE
It is the bounden duty of all of us to improve the life of ex-service men who have devoted their life in defending the security of the country.
DMK will ask for the implementation of the recommendations of the high level committee led by K.P. Singh Deo.
MINORITIES’ WELFARE
DMK will initiate steps for a separate reservation for Muslims and Dalit Christians.
Currently the grants to Income Tax payers and second time pilgrims to Haj have been cancelled by the government. DMK will take steps to restore the grants for them.
MIGRANTS WELFARE
We will take suitable steps to ensure the democratic, economic and human rights of the immigrant Tamils who seek employment abroad.
PROTECTION FROM SEA EROSION
Sea erosion in the east coast has caused great hardships to the fishermen and has obstructed traffic in the coast. Steps will be taken to press the Central government for adequate financial assistance to protect the fishermen residential areas from sea erosion.
CHANGES IN LOCAL BODY STRUCTURE
Efforts will be made to bring in suitable Constitutional amendments to improve the functioning of the present three-tier local body structure. The amendments will suggest steps to address the short - comings in the system.
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
DMK will insist for a Constitutional amendment to restore the Legislative Council in Tamil Nadu.
REVIEW OF MALIMATH REPORT
The recommendations of Justice Malimath Committee have provided for undue dominance of police force in the criminal jurisprudence and have deprived the rights of the accused to defend themselves. As the rights provided hitherto are withdrawn, DMK will insist to reject the Justice Malimath Committee report.
SOUTHERN GAS GRID
DMK has been demanding for the last 40 years for creation of a Southern Gas Grid. It will continue to insist for the creation of Southern Gas Grid which will enable the distribution of Liquified Natural Gas imported at Gujarat to the Southern states.
Southern states have been championing the family planning initiatives better than the northern states. The population explosion has been an impediment to the economical growth of the country. DMK will prevail upon the Central government for the active implementation of family planning schemes in the northern states.
DMK will support the measures that improve cordial relations with neighbouring countries as well as for the defense initiatives.
DMK will support globalisation to the extent that the domestic production, trade, consumer welfare are not hampered.
DMK will insist the Central government to provide financial assistance to the tanneries and knit wear industries to set up adequate effluent treatment plants in their units.
DMK will endeavour for a Permanent Exhibition Centre at Tirupoor, the home town of knit wear industries.
DMK will prevail upon the Centre to set up Shelter Houses for the homeless poor
We assure that the elected representatives to the Lok Sabha of the DMK-led front will endeavour ceaselessly for the implementation of these welfare schemes meant for the development of Tamil Nadu.
Electorates in Tamil Nadu have seen the commitments of DMK for the development of Tamil Nadu. We will discharge our duties and live up to the faith reposed on us by the people. We make this assurance through this manifesto.
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