Chennai: Chief minister J. Jayalalithaa on Monday greeted the people of Tamil Nadu on the occasion of Pongal and outlined several schemes the state government had taken for the benefit of farmers.
“We have exempted farm inputs from Value Added Tax (VAT) and have also provided adequate subsidy for small and marginal farmers. My government has always been concerned about the welfare of farmers,” the chief minister said in a release.
The state government had earlier provided a Pongal gift package which included one kilogram of rice, sugar besides Rs 100 in cash.
Next: Cops, firemen, prison staff win CM medals
Cops, firemen, prison staff win CM medals
Chennai: Chief minister J. Jayalalithaa on Monday announced Pongal medals to 1,725 policemen and other uniformed services personnel in recognition of the outstanding devotion to duty displayed by them.
According to a release from the government, the Chief Minister’s Medals would be awarded annually on Pongal Day to the police, fire and rescue services and prison services departments as an incentive.
The chief Minister has said that 1,540 policemen — constables, head constables and equivalent ranks — would be awarded the TN Chief Minister’s Constabulary Medals this year. Also, 120 fire and rescue services personnel and 60 prison service personnel would be honoured. The monthly medal allowance to the recipients has been increased from Rs 100 to Rs 200 from this year.
Five people — two each from the police radio branch and dog squad and one police photographer — were also being awarded the Chief Minister’s Police Medal for Excellence in technical and specialised services. The monetary grants to the recipients of this medal have been enhanced by Rs 1,000.
