The Department of Information and Public Relations organised a photo exhibition to showcase the contributions of the late Chief Minister M.G. Ramachandran here on Saturday.
The expo was conducted as part of MGR’s centenary celebrations.
Information Minister Kadambur C. Raju inaugurated the expo at the old bus stand in the presence of J. Jeyasingh Thiyagaraj Natterjee, MP, and Collector N. Venkatesh.
The expo highlighted the achievements of the late Chief Minister during his tenure of office, rare photographs of his meetings with important leaders of political parties, distribution of welfare assistance to poor beneficiaries and development projects.
Former Minister S.T. Chellapandian, District Revenue Officer M. Veerappan, Sub-Collector Prashanth, Corporation Commissioner Alby John Varghese, Assistant Collector (training) Saravanan were present.
Earlier, a mini-marathon was organised as part of the programme. Students from various schools took part in the marathon.
Ramanathapuram
Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami would distribute welfare assistances to 26,563 beneficiaries for a total amount of ₹165.15 crore when he visits the district headquarters here on November 25 to address the MGR centenary celebrations, Minister for Information Technology M. Manikandan has said.
Chairing a preparatory meeting with Collector S. Natarajan, senior officials and heads of all departments at the Collectorate here on Saturday, he said besides distributing welfare assistances, the Chief Minister, who would be accompanied by Deputy Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam and ministerial colleagues would also inaugurate facilities and lay foundation stones for new projects.
The Minister asked the officials to prepare the demands after discussing with people in their respective regions.
The demands could also pertain to the Assembly constituencies of Paramakudi, Thiruvadanai (represented by S. Muthiah and S. Karunas, supporters of sidelined AIADMK deputy general secretary T.T.V. Dhinakaran) and Mudukulathur, (represented by Congress MLA S. Pandi) Mr. Manikandan, who represented Ramanathapuram Assembly segment, said.
Later, replying to a question on the public interest litigation petition, seeking a ban on the function at Amma Park and direction to the authorities to shift the venue, the Minister told reporters that the petition was filed by some ‘anti-social elements’ and the function would be held in Amma Park without any disturbance to the general public.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa and Congress Vice-President Rahul Gandhi had addressed election rallies in the same venue, the Minister said. Local people said it was an open space when these leaders addressed meetings and no meeting was organised after the establishment of Amma Park last year.
Paramakudi Sub-Collector Vishnu Chandran, DRO S. Muthumari and Project Director, DRDA, S.S. Dhnapathy were among others, attended the meeting.
