CM lauds Ministers for their contributions to Madurai’s development

Minister Palanivel Thiaga Rajan.
| Photo Credit:
R. ASHOK

Commending their contributions to Madurai’s development, sincerity and commitment, Chief Minister M.K. Stalin hailed his cabinet colleagues P. Moorthy and Palanivel Thiaga Rajan here on Sunday.

The CM said that the government function organised in Madurai had overtaken all other events in the State, in which he had participated in the last four and a half years.

“Such huge arrangements have stunned us. I appreciate the efforts put in by Mr. Moorthy, who has turned this event into a ‘thiruvizha’ (a celebration) with large gathering, which is usually seen only during Lord Kallazhagar festival in Madurai. The presence of many people here reflected the rapport he has cultivated with them and I wish him best in the future too. He also contributed to the government’s exchequer through his ministry,” he said.

Likewise, showering encomiums on Mr Rajan, he said that he was well educated, efficient, visionary and an intelligent thinker.

“He has an in depth understanding on spirituality and responds in his own style to people who attempted to give twists in an apparent reference on the Karthigai deepam row.”

Pointing out the Collector K.J. Praveen Kumar’s welcome address, Mr. Stalin said that the manner in which so many beneficiaries were to receive the pattas (over a lakh) and other assistance showed their large commitment and hard-work. He thanked Mr. Praveen Kumar, Commissioner Chitra Vijayan and their team of officers from various departments for making the event a grand success.

With reference to Madurai, Mr. Stalin said that through the Kalaignar Mahalir Uthavi Thittam, 4.54 lakh women benefitted every month receiving ₹1,000. Under the Pudumai Penn program, 63,400 girl children studying in colleges received ₹1,000 every month. Likewise, college boys too numbering 31,000 received ₹1,000 per month. The Makkalai Thedi Maruthuvam benefited 8.60 lakh people in Madurai district. The IKNK program, which was started recently to help road accident victims, had saved 16,000 lives so far in Madurai district. Nearly, 1.17 lakh students had been given free coaching for preparing competitive exams.

Likewise, the Ungaludan Stalin programme, Nalam Kaakum Stalin, Thayumaanavar scheme et al, had not only benefitted the needy, but reached them too successfully. Under the Anbu Karangal programme, 341 children were adopted by the government.

Considering all these programmes, which were aimed at the needy people and effectively implemented, no force shall attempt to mislead or misinform the people, he said using the popular Tamil phrase “Baatcha palikaadhu” (will not work on me).

Justifying the Dravida model, he said that the government aimed at building Tidel Parks with the sole objective of giving employments.

“Whereas the political opponents (BJP) wants our youth to sell “pakodas”….” he noted and added that a Tidel Park was coming up near Mattuthavani in Madurai.

For future development of Madurai, Mr Stalin said that a new road would be laid at ₹130 crore between Viraganoor ring road and Sakkudi for a distance of 8.4 km.

For the city, the Masi and Veli Streets around Meenakshi Temple, K Pudur, Anna Nagar, Sandaipettai, South Gate, S.S. Colony, Arapalayam, Arasaradi, Palanganatham, Pykara and among other pockets, the old UGD pipes would be replaced with new ones shortly.

Permanent flood prevention arrangements would also be done in Uthangudi and a few other locations which would ensure that there was no breach of waterbodies during monsoon.