Suggestions and requests from various sections of the society were given to the DMK Election Manifesto committee, which met here today.

Representatives of Devanga Chettiyar community requested the committee to include them under MBC category from the present BC status, as their livelihood had not improved for many years.

A group of industrialists from micro units wanted the party to recommend to Tamil Nadu Industrial Investment corporation (TIIC) to provide loans up to Rs. 25 lakh at eight per cent interest rate to upgrade their units, and fixing repayment period between 10 to 15 years, from the present seven years.

Many industrialists wanted change in power tariff from Rs.8.20 to Rs.3.50 per unit for smooth running of industries.

The industries also suggested that State Government Departments such as transport,
electricity, PWD, and Tamil Nadu Water Supply and Drainage Board (TWAD) should procure
30 per cent of their products from micro units.

The committee was headed by senior DMK leader T.R. Baalu and attended by party Women’s Wing chief, Kanimozhi, joint secretaries, Thangam Thennarasu, T.K.S. Elangovan, Subbulakshmi Jagadeeshan and other senior leaders from the district.