Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], December 28 : Tamil Nadu Deputy CM Udhayanidhi Stalin on Sunday accused the Centre of undermining traders' welfare by introducing the Goods and Services Tax, highlighting the growth of traders during the 4.5-year-old DMK regime in Tamil Nadu.
Stalin was speaking at the Triplicane Traders Association's 50th anniversary celebration program held at Kalaivanar Arangam in the Triplicane area of Chennai.
He stated that the traders during the 10-year-old All India Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam rule, adding that the state Chief Minister MK Stalin has declared May 5 as Traders Day.
"Central government is acting against traders' welfare by introducing GST, causing severe hardship to traders. During the 10 years of AIADMK rule, traders suffered, but over the last 4.5 years, traders have seen growth under the DMK government. Chief Minister M.K.Stalin, who is deeply concerned about traders' welfare, has announced May 5 as Traders' Day," Stalin said while addressing a gathering.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M K Stalin on Friday launched and inaugurated a series of development projects worth over Rs 1,700 crore in Kallakurichi district, while strongly criticising the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and asserting that Tamil Nadu has emerged as a model of inclusive growth under the Dravidian model of governance.
Addressing a public gathering in Veeracholapuram, Stalin laid the foundation stone for new projects worth Rs 386.48 crore, inaugurated completed works worth Rs 341.77 crore, and provided government welfare assistance worth Rs 1045.41 crore. Under various departments of the government, a total of Rs 1,773 crore and 68 lakhs were completed, new projects worth Rs 1,773 crore were laid, and welfare schemes were provided.
The Chief Minister said, "The BJP-ruled states are a different India, with poverty, religious violence, murders, and unemployment, and the India of the BJP is the only one." He added that "no matter how many slaves the BJP, which is doing religious politics, recruits and beats up, it cannot incite religious fanaticism among the people of Tamil Nadu, who live in unity."