Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, during his Independence Day speech on Thursday (August 15, 2024), announced the establishment of Mudhalvarin Marundhagam, pharmacies to provide generic medicines at subsidised rates. A total of 1,000 pharmacies would be made operational from the day of Pongal next year, he said.
Delivering his Independence Day address after hoisting the national flag on the ramparts of Fort St. George in Chennai, Mr. Stalin said that though the poor and the downtrodden were being treated well at the government hospitals, medicines were expensive for the middle-class patients getting treatment at private hospitals.
“They have to buy medicines for diabetes and blood pressure, and they buy them by paying a high price. So, this government would implement Mudhalvar Marundhagams to provide generic and other medicines to them at subsidised rates,” he said. Subsidies up to ₹3 lakh would be extended to pharmacists and cooperative societies for running these pharmacies, he said.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin hoists the tricolour at Fort St. George, Chennai | Photo Credit: B. Jothi Ramalingam
The Chief Minister also announced Mudhalvarin Kaakkum Karangal for retired military personnel to start businesses by borrowing up to ₹1 crore from banks. The government would extend a 30% capital subsidy and a 3% interest subsidy. They would also be trained in skills and entrepreneurship. About 400 retired military personnel are expected to benefit from the scheme in the next two years. Aid to the tune of ₹120 crore would be provided in capital subsidy, besides a 3% interest subsidy, he said.
Citing the consequences of the devastating landslides that hit Wayanad in Kerala, Mr. Stalin said the Tamil Nadu government would undertake a study to predict the possible impact of heavy rain in hilly areas such as the Nilgiris and Kodaikanal.
A panel of multi-departmental experts would conduct the study and make recommendations for predicting, avoiding, mitigating the consequences, and reducing such incidents in the long run. “Based on the recommendations, the government would take appropriate steps,” Mr. Stalin said.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin presents the Kalpana Chawla Award for Courage and Daring Enterprise to nurse A. Sabeena, who risked her life to rescue the victims of the Wayanad landslides | Photo Credit: B. Jothi Ramalingam
The Chief Minister also announced that the monthly pension granted by the government to freedom fighters would be increased from ₹20,000 to ₹21,000 and the family pension would be revised from ₹11,000 to ₹11,500. The special monthly pension for the descendants of freedom fighters Veera Pandiya Kattabomman, Sivaganga Marudhupandiyar Brothers, Ramanathapuram Muthuramalinga Vijayaraghunatha Sethupathi, and V.O. Chidambaranar would be revised from ₹10,000 to ₹10,500, Mr. Stalin said.
Mr. Stalin also recalled that former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi was instrumental in the Chief Ministers getting the right to hoist the national flag on Independence Day in 1974. He also listed the welfare programmes being implemented by his government to empower women, youth, and students.
Citing the data from the Union government, Mr. Stalin said that over 77.79 lakh jobs had been generated in the private sector in the three years of DMK rule. Over 65,400 youths had got jobs in government services, he said.
Earlier, Mr. Stalin arrived at the venue and received the ceremonial salute after which he inspected the guard of honour in an open vehicle. Chief Secretary Shiv Das Meena introduced senior officers of the Armed Forces to the Chief Minister. Assembly Speaker M. Appavu, the Ministers, senior government officers, and members of the consular corps and the public witnessed the hoisting of the national flag on the Rajaji Salai.
