Tamil Nadu government is firm in its stand on supporting the two-language formula and will oppose any scheme that affects the people of the State, Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami said in his Independence Day address on Thursday.
After hoisting the national flag on the ramparts of Fort St. George, the seat of power of the State government in Chennai, Mr. Palaniswami said: “I assert that the State government will oppose any scheme that affects the people of the State and will be a frontrunner in protecting people’s interests.”
Elaborating on the government’s position against Hindi, Mr. Palaniswami recalled that in 1968, under the then Chief Minister C.N. Annadurai, the State Assembly passed a resolution to remove Hindi and follow a two-language policy of Tamil and English.
In 1986 too, under Chief Minister M.G. Ramachandran, the State government passed a resolution in support of the two-language formula. During her tenure, the former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa had made it clear that the State government was firm against imposing Hindi on non-Hindi speaking States and that it would continue to fight such attempts, Mr. Palaniswami said.
Lists achievements
Contending that the setting up of Cauvery Management Authority and the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee was one of its achievements, Mr. Palaniswami said even if the Centre’s proposal of setting up a tribunal for hearing inter-State river disputes, the “two bodies would continue to function.”
Listing various achievements of the State government, Mr. Palaniswami said a Chief Minister’s special grievance redress scheme would be held in August and September.
Various steps were taken by the State government towards ensuring water supply to people in the State, he pointed out and emphasised on the need to save fresh water. “Fresh water is necessary for country’s growth. We need to save rainwater and protect water resources,” he said.
Water recycling policy
The State government would soon formulate a policy of water recycling and it would facilitate providing recycled water after use of the general public for re-use in industries.
“Building permits for construction of new factories and multistoried residential plans would be accorded only if they have recycling units,” Mr. Palaniswami said.
Underlining the government’s mission to save every drop of water available, Mr. Palaniswami said like the way the State was transformed from power-deficit to electricity surplus State, it would be transformed from water-starved State to the one with abundant water resources.
The Chief Minister recalled the sacrifices made by freedom fighters and leaders during the Indian freedom struggle.
Deputy Chief Minister O. Panneerselvam, Speaker P. Dhanapal, Ministers, senior State government officials, officers from the armed forces and State police, members of the consular corps were present during the parade.
