Vijay’s remarks show lack of understanding; he must know Karunanidhi’s legacy: Ma Subramanian

COIMBATORE: Actor-politician Vijay must understand the pioneering schemes introduced by former chief minister M Karunanidhi which placed Tamil Nadu in the top position in various sectors, said state health and family welfare minister Ma Subramanian on Saturday. Subramanian said this when reporters here asked him about Vijay’s statement condemning what he said the "cash-for-votes" move of the DMK govt.

The minister said Karunanidhi had introduced several pioneering welfare measures even before Vijay was born. He recalled that in the 1970s, Karunanidhi established the Slum Clearance Board and initiated the construction of concrete houses for the urban poor, calling it a first-of-its-kind initiative in the country. He added that chief minister M K Stalin is continuing such initiatives through the Urban Development Board, increasing the size of govt-built houses from 290 square feet to more than 400 square feet to improve living standards.


Subramanian said Tamil Nadu continues to lead in several sectors, including manufacturing, where 15% of the workforce is employed, compared to 13% in Gujarat and 12% in Maharashtra. He attributed this to the establishment of Sipcot and Sidco in the 1970s, which strengthened industrial and small-scale sector growth in the state. Citing economic data, he said while the national growth rate stands at 6.5%, Tamil Nadu’s growth rate is 11.9%. He pointed out that urbanisation in the state has risen significantly — from 30% decades ago to 54% at present — due to sustained development.

He said medical facilities worth Rs 12.35 crore, including eight healthcare buildings in Pollachi and other parts of Coimbatore district, were inaugurated on Friday. At Coimbatore Medical College Hospital, a modern steam laundry unit was opened at a cost of Rs 2.44 crore. The three-storey facility can wash, dry and sanitise 180 bed sheets every 30 minutes. A new multi-speciality dental unit with four dental chairs was also inaugurated, with 120 to 150 patients availing dental services daily. He said CMCH had seen infrastructure upgrades worth Rs 415.23 crore, benefiting nearly 5,000 outpatients daily. Concrete road and drainage work worth Rs 9.65 crore are under way.

On the HPV vaccination drive, he said 3,38,649 children have been identified for immunisation, which will begin in Coimbatore schools in August after obtaining parental consent.

Earlier, he inaugurated a Rs 2.17crore CT scan facility at the Pollachi Government Hospital.

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