Accusing Tamil Nadu Government of ruining the Rs 30,000 crore Mahathma Gandhi National Rural employment guarantee scheme (MNREGS), Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram today said it was paying the beneficiaries only about half the amount of what the Centre was giving.
Canvassing for his son and Congress candidate for Sivaganga Lok Sabha constituency Karti Chidambaram, he said BJP leaders had also stated that the UPA's flagship scheme was "useless".
He asked the voters to pose the question as to "Why the Tamil Nadu Government is giving only Rs 70 or Rs 80, when the Union Government is giving Rs 148 per day?"
He said MNREGS was essential for water-starved district like Sivaganga. "This year rain has failed, and ponds and lakes should be deepened and kept ready so that water could be stored even if there is a little rain," he said.
Voters should also ask BJP candidates as to why the party leaders were saying that MNREGS scheme was useless, he said as he listed out his "achievements" as an MP and as a Minister in the constituency.
Apparently referring to his son being given the seat held by him, Chidambaram said Congress wished to give chance for the younger people in the governance of the country, and hence had fielded many youngsters.
