Tourism Minister R. Rajendran distributing commodities to a cardholder after inaugurating a new building for the ration shop at Periyar Nagar in Salem in Tamil Nadu on Tuesday.
| Photo Credit: LAKSHMI NARAYANAN E.
Minister for Tourism, R. Rajendran, on Tuesday (December 23, 2025) distributed bicycles to students at the Kannankurichi Government Higher Secondary School, laid foundation stones for new infrastructure projects in Kannankurichi Town Panchayat areas, and inaugurated a new building for the Periyar Nagar Fair Price Shop at Kondappanaickenpatti.
The fair price shop building, constructed at a cost of ₹15 lakh is operated by the K. Kondappanaickenpatti Primary Agricultural Cooperative Credit Society. The facility is expected to benefit 1,153 ration cardholders from surrounding localities.
Addressing the gathering, the Minister said the State government has prioritised the school education sector over the past four-and-a-half years by allocating enhanced financial resources and implementing several flagship schemes. Initiatives such as the Chief Minister’s Breakfast Scheme, Pudhumai Penn, Tamil Pudhalvan, Naan Mudhalvan and Illam Thedi Kalvi have been effectively implemented in Salem district, he said.
Referring to the bicycle distribution scheme for the 2025–26 academic year, the Minister said bicycles are being distributed to 25,159 Class XI students studying in 178 government and government-aided schools across the district. At Kannankurichi, 152 students received bicycles.
Later, the Minister laid foundation stones for road and drainage works worth ₹1.05 crore under the Kalaignar Urban Development Scheme in various localities.
Mayor A. Ramachandran, Additional District Collector (Development) N. Ponmani, and other officials attended the event.
Published – December 23, 2025 07:19 pm IST
