Chennai: Attacking the previous Karunanidhi regime, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa on Monday said people have won new freedom with the end of the 'tyrannical family rule' in the state.
In her first Independence Day address since being swept to power in a landslide victory in the April 13 Assembly elections, she said there was no freedom for the people in any field in the last five years and they lived in fear.
"People started feeling that with AIADMK coming to power, the five years of tyrannical family rule has ended," Jayalalithaa, also party chief, said.
She said once considered a peaceful state, Tamil Nadu has turned into a state of lawlessness during the five years of DMK.
Justifying the various freebies offered by her government, the Chief Minister said it was the "duty of the welfare state," to safeguard the interests of the poor people by distributing goods free of cost.
"In order to fulfill the essential needs of the people, our government is distributing some items free of cost. Such things distributed at no cost to the public should not be termed as freebies," she said, unfurling the tricolour at Fort St George here.
Jayalalithaa said the "best" economic concept meant people of all classes acquired self-sufficiency for all essential needs of life.
"It is the duty of the welfare state to safeguard the interest of the poor people by distributing things at no cost. Hence, on the day I took charge (on May 17), I ordered to give rice under the Public Distribution System at no cost," she said.
On the scheme to provide free mixers, grinder and fans to women, she said these had become essential needs and were being distributed to "reduce the workload of mothers."
However, providing rice and electrical appliances besides other similar schemes was not viewed by her government as a permanent solution, she said, adding, the government's ambition was to raise the standard of living of the people and help them become economically independent.
This was the rationale behind the schemes for supply of free goats and milch animals, which would target 7.6 lakh beneficiaries put together, Jayalalithaa said.
The beneficiaries will select the animals and "thus the rights of the poor will be established," the Chief Minister said.
On the girl child front, she said the 'cradle' baby scheme aimed at bringing down female infanticide and had been extended to five districts including Cuddalore.
The government had also enhanced deposit amounts under the Girl Child Protection Scheme and the free laptops and financial assistance were being given to students to prevent school dropout rate.
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