Check-dams coming up across Tamil Nadu at a cost of ₹1,000 cr.

Kudimaramathu scheme has increased storage by 30%, says CM

TIRUNELVELI,TAMIL NADU: 12/11/2017: Chief Minister Edapadi K. Palanisamy inaugurating taking Temple Website at MGR Century Celebration function in Tirunelveli on Sunday,Deputy Chief Minister O. Panner Selvam ,and M.Thambidurai deputy Spekar of Look Sabha are look on . Photo : N. Rajesh

After the successful implementation of the kudimaramaththu scheme to desilt tanks across the State last year, the State government would construct check-dams across the rivers to improve the groundwater table and boost farming operations at an outlay of ₹1,000 crore in the next three years, Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami has announced.

“During this fiscal, we’ve earmarked ₹350 crore for the construction of check-dams,” Mr. Palaniswami informed during the 23rd MGR birth centenary celebrations meeting held here on Sunday.

The Chief Minister said the desilting of irrigation tanks under the

kudimaramaththu scheme at an outlay of ₹100 crore during the last fiscal had increased the storage level of 1,519 irrigation tanks by 30% while nourishing the farms of thousands of farmers.

Hence, the government had decided to go ahead with this programme during this year also by allotting ₹350 crore. Moreover, check-dams across the rivers at vantage points would also be built on an outlay of ₹1,000 crore in the next three years.

Indirectly referring to the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam leaders’ prediction that his government would soon fall on its own, Mr. Palaniswami said: “It’s their daydream and a mirage”.

Coming down heavily on DMK working president M.K. Stalin for his remark that the people were angry with his party for not toppling the State government, Deputy Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam said Tamils were still angry with the DMK, thanks to its “corruption, anti-people policies, family rule, its handling of the power situation, its stand on the Cauvery and Mullaperiyar issues and for having shared power with the Congress at the Centre even as the Sri Lankan Tamils were wiped out.”

“Only after Jayalalithaa returned to power in 2011, were the DMK’s wanton blunders and omissions rectified. Ours is the government for the poor, and hence, we’re doing our best for the welfare of those in need. Though daydreamer Stalin donned several comical roles during the last election campaign with an eye on the Chief Minister’s post, the people reposed their faith only in the Jayalalithaa-led AIADMK, from which the DMK cannot woo even a single cadre since it is a people’s movement and not a rule meticulously designed for the welfare of a particular family,” Mr. Panneerselvam said.