A national-level poverty eradication scheme that would grant a sum of 1,500 a month for every family below poverty line (BPL), Statehood for the Union territory of Puducherry and water management schemes including linking of rivers and diverting water to drought-hit areas are among the major promises made by ruling AIADMK’s election manifesto released on Tuesday.

AIADMK coordinator Deputy Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam and party’s co coordinator and Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami released the election manifesto in the presence of senior party functionaries in the party head office on Avvai Shanmugam Salai in Chennai.

The ‘Amma National Poverty Eradication Scheme’ is aimed at supporting each of the BPL families with a monthly financial assistance of 1,500, Mr. Panneerselvam stated. The AIADMK would urge the Centre to implement the scheme, he said.

The ruling party also promised that it would insist the Centre to transfer the ‘Education’ portfolio to the State list. Presently, Education is in the Concurrent List. Mr. Panneerselvam said that his party would also reiterate its stand to exempt students from Tamil Nadu from the purview of NEET meant for medical admissions in the country.

The AIADMK would urge the Centre to call for an international probe into the alleged war crimes during the civil war in Sri Lanka.

Among various aspects of water management schemes being promised by AIADMK for Tamil Nadu, is a demand to Centre to link Godavari and Cauvery rivers and also plans to divert water to drought-hit areas. It also planned a scheme to boost ground water table.

The party also reiterated its stand to continue to urge Centre to release the seven convicts in the former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi assassination case.