On first day in office, CM unveils a slews of schemes

February 21, 2017 12:43 am | Updated 12:43 am IST - CHENNAI

Two days after winning a vote of confidence motion in the Assembly, Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami on Monday announced a slew of schemes and measures such as grant of subsidy to one lakh working women every year for the purchase of mopeds or scooters and the closure of 500 more liquor shops.

He also announced an increase in assistance under the Dr. Muthulakhsmi Reddy Maternity Benefit Scheme from ₹12,000 to ₹18,000; construction of 5,000 houses for the fishing community at a cost of ₹1.7 lakh per house; and doubling of the amount offered as unemployment assistance, benefiting around 55,230 youngsters every year.

Mr. Palaniswami said the announcements were aimed at fulfilling the promises made by former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa at the time of the Assembly polls in 2016.

Setting up Lok Ayukta

Replying to a query from The Hindu whether Lok Ayukta, another electoral promise of the ruling AIADMK, would be instituted, the Chief Minister replied that this would be considered. However, according to an official, a draft Bill has been prepared. To another question as to whether compensation would be paid to the families of farmers who were said to have died in recent months due to crop failure, Mr. Palaniswami replied that there would be an announcement “shortly.”

A senior official says that the closure of 500 more liquor shops will mean a loss of approximately ₹1,000 crore, which translates to about five per cent of the annual revenue mopped up through the sale of liquor. This year, the estimated revenue will be ₹24,000 crore, which has been worked out after factoring in the closure of liquor shops.

The scheme on mopeds or scooters, which will be implemented by the Tamil Nadu Corporation for Development of Women from next year, envisages a grant of a maximum of ₹ 20,000 or 50 per cent subsidy, whichever is lower. Every year, it will cost ₹200 crore.

The housing scheme for fishermen will be carried out through the Rural Development Department, even though the Fisheries Department will set aside funds from its budget. Totally, ₹85 crore will be required for this scheme.

As for the increase in the unemployment allowance, the amount will go up from ₹100 to ₹200 for those who did not pass the 10th standard examination; it will go up by ₹150 to ₹300 for those who have passed the 10th standard; and it will rise to ₹200 to ₹400 for those who did not pass the 12th standard examination; for graduates and post-graduates, the amount has been raised between ₹300 and ₹ 600.

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