The Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AMMK) general secretary T.T.V. Dhinakaran on Wednesday wondered whether Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay’s observations against corruption at direct purchase centres (DPC) for paddy should be regarded as film dialogues that have no value.

In a post on his social media handle, Mr Dhinakaran referred to the instance of a bribe of ₹50 per bag being demanded allegedly at a DPC near Panruti of the Cuddalore district. Despite disciplinary action having been taken against officials in the district after a visit by Food Minister  P. Venkataramanan to several DPCs last month, the continuance of alleged corrupt practices had made farmers to lose hope in the efficacy of the State government to root out corruption. He urged the government to ensure close supervision and immediate action instead of delivering “punch dialogues,” as was done in feature films. 

In another post, Mr Dhinakaran talked of reports of the delay in issuing orders to weavers in Tamil Nadu for the State government’s scheme of distribution of free dhotis and sarees to the poor during the Pongal festival. Normally, the orders would have been issued in July but, even as August was drawing to a close and a government nod was issued to sanction ₹300 crore for the initial phase of the scheme, no orders for production had been given, making uncertain livelihood opportunities for nearly three lakh weavers, the AMMK leader contended. He urged the government to place production orders with the weavers concerned.