Since taking charge as the Minister for the Tamil Nadu Social Welfare and Women’s Rights Department and the MLA of the Rajapalayam constituency, Jagadeeswari has been getting caught up in one controversy after another. The allegations against her are piling up: insulting the district collector on a stage at a public event; issuing a death threat to a party functionary; interfering in sand theft… and so on. In this situation, parents also alleged that the reason government school students were unable to eat eggs was the lack of proper communication between the concerned department officials regarding school operations.

With the egg controversy having blown up into a major issue, we contacted former minister Geetha Jeevan, who was actively campaigning in support of DMK candidate Sukanya in the Dharapuram constituency, and put a few questions to her.
What is the biggest shortcoming you see in the TVK government led by Vijay?
The biggest shortcoming is the deterioration of law and order. Since Vijay took office as Chief Minister, crimes such as murder, robbery, and sexual violence have been increasing. It must be said that he, who holds the police force in his hands, has failed to restore law and order.
Is the criticism that the new government is being run by people without administrative experience true?
It is true. Every year, for the irrigation of the Cauvery delta, water is usually released from the Mettur dam on June 12. But Vijay released the water only on September 1, after 49 days. He did not think about farmers or agriculture. The officials also did not care.

What is your opinion on the financial status report released by the TVK government?
It is an empty statement. It is not a statement for the people. Above all, there were so many mistakes in the way the concerned department ministers read out the report prepared for them by the officials of that department. In this, Minister Jagadeeswari proudly says at school events from one stage to another, “Before I entered politics, I worked as a reporter for an investigative weekly.” Clear speech and intelligent writing are the basic skills of a journalist. People enjoyed and laughed heartily, turning up the TV volume, at the way she read the budget report.
The allegation that school students were not provided with nutritious eggs has been strongly voiced. As the former minister of this department, you have registered your condemnation. What do you think is the reason for this negligence?
In Tamil Nadu, this scheme was started by Kamarajar as the “midday meal scheme” and expanded by M.G.R. as the “nutritious meal scheme.” Under this scheme, Kalaignar introduced the practice of providing one egg per week in 1989. Thereafter, with the aim of addressing the nutritional deficiencies of school students, the scheme of providing eggs five days a week was implemented from 2010. These nutritious meal eggs, which had been supplied regularly without any interruption for the past 16 years, have now been suddenly stopped after the T.V.K. came to power, which is highly condemnable.

In particular, complaints have been raised that eggs have not been provided as part of the nutritious meal for students in government schools in districts including Namakkal, Erode, Salem, Nellai, Nagapattinam, Tiruppur, Mayiladuthurai, and Dindigul. Behind this, the main reasons appear to be that eggs are not being procured properly in line with the number of students, and that the Social Welfare Department has been completely paralyzed.
When you were a minister in the DMK government, wasn’t there an allegation that eggs for the nutritious meal had rotted in many anganwadis and schools?
Egg spoilage is unavoidable. At the same time, the contract itself includes a clause specifying how many spoiled eggs, floating eggs, and eggs with cracked shells the contractor concerned must replace. This was properly monitored and replaced promptly.

However, unlike this administration, there was no situation where students were not provided eggs at all. Some opposition members filmed damaged eggs being set aside separately and spread baseless accusations against the DMK government.
What is the main shortcoming you see in the current Social Welfare Department administration?
People’s trust in the Social Welfare Department has declined under this government.
What should the new government do regarding women’s safety and women’s rights schemes?
As announced by Chief Minister Vijay during the election campaign, the women’s entitlement amount of Rs. 2,500 should be credited to women’s bank accounts. With the prices of essential commodities such as rice, milk, and vegetables currently rising, this amount will be a great help.

What are the key suggestions you would like to give the current Social Welfare Minister? What score would you give him?
This department exists for the sake of children, women, transgender people, and the elderly. First, the current minister, Jagadeeswari, should fully understand the plans and responsibilities related to the Social Welfare Department and the Women’s Rights Department. If she does not understand the department, she should seek clarity by asking officials with long experience in this field. In my experience, the score I would give her is zero out of one hundred.
Within the TVK party itself, aren’t they saying that no action is being taken on sexual complaints against women administrators?
A woman administrator from Srivaikuntam had filed a complaint that two party functionaries had gang-raped her. In that case, did Srivaikuntam MLA Saravanan threaten the woman and force her to withdraw the case? A jewelry theft complaint has been filed against Roosevelt, a close friend of Minister Srinath, alleging that he pressured them to take back the complaint filed by the affected woman administrator. When even women party functionaries are not safe, I do not know what to say about the safety of women and children in Tamil Nadu.

Is the current approach of the T.V.K. government to preventing crimes against women correct?
The approach is completely wrong. The T.V.K. government says that the ‘Lioness Squad’ was formed to prevent crimes against women and take action against those involved in criminal acts. However, the Lioness Squad police have the authority only to catch the offender; they have no authority to register a case. They should be given full powers. They should show seriousness in ensuring the safety of children and women.
