1.50 lakh dwellings will be built in housing for all' scheme: Tamil Nadu CM
Chennai: Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami, who unfurled the national tricolour from the ramparts of Fort St. George on Wednesday, announced that the state government would construct 1.50 lakh houses for Rs. 2,296 crore, under the ‘housing for all’ scheme. He also announced a hike in pension for freedom fighters and a quota in employment for sports persons winning medals.
The Chief Minister who led the 72nd Independence Day celebrations recounted Tamil Nadu’s progress in various sectors. At present, the government had completed project works to the tune of Rs 22,439.92 crores and commenced work on welfare schemes worth Rs. 16,680.84 crore.
“The government, which is following the footsteps of late Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa is implementing various development schemes. Also, a government order has been issued to construct a memorial for late Jayalalithaa at her burial site on the Marina and also in her Poes Garden residence,” Mr. Palaniswami informed.
“I had launched the desilting work at the Mettur dam for the first time in 83 years. Through the desilting scheme, several lakes across Tamil Nadu were desilted and about 6.51 lakh crore metric ton of silt was given to the farmers,” he said.
On the metro rail expansion, the CM said the government was taking steps to implement the second phase work from Madhavaram to Sholinganallur and Madhavaram to Koyambedu routes. A textile exhibition will be held at Coimbatore at a cost of Rs. 2 crore, soon. As part of its objective to ensure a hut-free Tamil Nadu, the government has proposed to construct 1.30 houses for Rs. 2,276 crore under Prime Minister Awas Yojana besides 20,000 houses will be built for Rs. 420 crore under the solar green house project, this year.
Quota for sports persons
The Chief Minister announced 2 per cent sub quota for sports persons who secure gold, silver and bronze medals at the state and national events representing Tamil Nadu and India as well as those who take part in international sport events. The quota would be applicable to certain posts in government and public sector units in the state.
He announced a hike in pension for freedom fighters from Rs 13,000 to Rs 15,000 per month and the family pension (given to their heirs) was raised by Rs 1,000 from Rs 6,500 to Rs 7,500.
Reiterating the Central government's finding that Tamil Nadu had emerged as first state in the country in receiving domestic and foreign tourists for four consecutive years, the Chief Minister revealed that Tamil Nadu had seen 34,50,00,000 domestic tourists and 48,60,000 international tourists over the past year.
“Let us take a pledge to transform Tamil Nadu into leading state in the country,” he urged while winding up his speech.
