Minister K.A. Sengottaiyan on Friday reacted sharply to questions from reporters about whether the breakfast scheme introduced by former Chief Minister M.K. Stalin would be implemented when schools reopen.
He said there was no intention to discontinue any welfare programme and that his side did not decide based on who introduced a scheme. According to him, the aim should be to run all schemes successfully.
Turning the question back at the media, Sengottaiyan asked whether reporters had questioned those who, he alleged, stopped the Amma Clinic project during the previous regime. He also claimed the press had not written about it earlier out of fear.
He further challenged reporters on law-and-order and accountability, asking whether arrests were being made within 24 hours in sexual offence cases and whether action was taken under the Goondas Act. He urged the media to publish specific allegations of corruption if they had evidence, saying the government would act.
The minister said journalists had the right to ask questions but questioned whether they were helping by pointing out wrongdoing with details. He then ended the interaction abruptly and walked away.
