Union Minister for Information and Communication Technology A. Raja on Sunday dedicated a number of development works taken up under the Anna Renaissance Scheme (ARS) in the Pillayappampalayam panchayat in Annur Union.
The minister inaugurated the tank constructed at a cost of Rs. 5 lakh, library (Rs. 3.75 lakh), burial/cremation ground (Rs. 4.25 lakh) and playground (Rs. 1.50 lakh) under ARS.
He also gave away Rs. 4.40 crore as revolving fund to 356 women's SHGs.
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He said that ever since the inception of the scheme in 1989, the women in Tamil Nadu had been on a growth trajectory in terms of self-reliance and economic progress.
So far in the last four years, women SHGs had been given Rs. 6,000 crores as bank loan. During the ensuing fiscal, the Chief Minister had announced that Rs. 230 crore would be provided as revolving fund.
The budget had many announcements for this region.
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The projects such as Avanashi – Athikadavu scheme and creation of Annur taluk were under active consideration.
He underlined the attention being paid by this Government for the differently-abled which was not done by any other Government anywhere in the country. Tamil Nadu had pioneered in forming an exclusive Ministry, he said.
He recalled that when the former Chief Minister assumed office in 2001, her claim was that treasury was empty and there was a debt of Rs. 28,000 crores.
The Government even went to the extent of abolishing all the welfare schemes introduced by DMK Government.
Whereas when DMK regained power, the State had a debt of Rs. 56,000 crores.
Still the DMK Government was able to provide rice at Rs. 1 per kg, three eggs per week in noon meals scheme, free colour television sets, Mr. Raja said.