31. This Government is taking action to establish many new power generation projects, to meet the growing demand for power arising from the continuous improvement in the standard of living of people. Further, the system of payment of electricity charges will be computerized throughout the state.

32. With a view to addressing the infrastructural needs of Chennai metropolis, this Government is formulating and implementing schemes with a long-term perspective. This Government has taken up two desalination projects to provide a lasting solution to the drinking water problem of Chennai City. Taking into account the future transportation needs, a detailed project report is being prepared for the Metro Rail scheme. Further, road works and construction of fly-overs required for Chennai city are being taken up under the World Bank assisted Tamil Nadu Urban Development Project–III and Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission.

33. As a result of the efforts taken by this Government, the National Rural Employment Guarantee Programme is being successfully implemented in six districts in Tamil Nadu. We have urged the Union Government to extend this programme to all districts in the State.

34. The scheme of providing assistance up to Rs.300/- per month, to alleviate the sufferings of the unemployed educated youth awaiting jobs after registration in employment exchanges, has been launched on 11.11.2006 by the Hon’ble Chief Minister. I am happy to inform that 2.50 lakh unemployed youth have so far benefited under this scheme, which would continue to be implemented.

35. After this Government assumed office, steps have been initiated to expeditiously fill up the vacancies in various departments of the Government through the Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission, Teachers Recruitment Board, Uniformed Services Recruitment Board and Employment Exchanges, along with the relaxation of the qualifying age to join Government service by five years, so as to redress the grievances of the unemployed youth who had been denied employment opportunities in Government service during the last five years.

36. Under the scheme of distribution of free sarees and dhoties to poor women and men, 1.64 crore sarees and 1.64 crore dhoties are being distributed on the eve of Pongal at an estimated cost of Rs.256 crores. This scheme would provide employment opportunities to around 50,000 weavers and annually benefit 3.28 crore poor people.

37. Various welfare boards which were established during the last tenure of the D.M.K. Government to ensure the social security of the labourers in un-organised sector were abolished subsequently. The reestablishment of these boards, thus ensuring social security to these labourers is a sterling achievement of this Government. In addition, I am happy to announce that this Government which had recently constituted a separate welfare board for the village temple priests, has also decided to establish a separate welfare board for domestic workers, who at present do not have even a modicum of social security. 11 welfare boards have started functioning so far and various benefits amounting to Rs.19.77 crores have been provided to 84,116 un-organised labourers during this year.

38. In addition to doubling the monthly financial assistance to the disabled from Rs.200/- to Rs.400/-, we have also doubled the financial assistance provided for the marriage of the disabled from Rs.10,000 to Rs.20,000. We are making all efforts to provide adequate educational and employment opportunities to the disabled, so that they can lead a life of self-reliance. A separate welfare board for the disabled would be established to provide social security for them.

39. This Government which cares for the welfare of fishermen, who eke out their livelihood by battling the nature everyday, will establish a separate welfare board for the fishermen, on the same lines as the Welfare Board for Agricultural Labourers with a view to providing the required social security and will extend all assistance to them.

40. This Government is proud that the Women Self Help Group movement started by this Government in 1989 at Dharmapuri has emerged as a powerful force at the State level. This Government will extend its full support and encouragement for the continued successful functioning of the Women Self Help Groups. This Government will do the needful to further strengthen the Women Self Help Group movement, to make it capable of effecting major changes, not only in their families but also in the entire society through income generating economic activities, rather than being mere thrift entities.

41. This Government has announced that 10,000 Youth Self Help Groups will be formed to create suitable employment opportunities and better the lives of the unemployed youth. 3500 Youth Self Help Groups have been formed so far under this initiative. Industrial training is being imparted to these youth in collaboration with industries so as to create suitable employment opportunities for them.

42. This Government will strive for the development of the most disadvantaged sections of the society like the poor, downtrodden and differently abled through the ‘Vaazhndhu Kattuvom’ project. This project at an estimated cost of Rs.717 crores, is being implemented in 15 blocks in 15 Districts in the first phase and will be implemented in 70 blocks in the next 12 months.

43. The Tamil diaspora all over the world whole-heartedly appreciate the unflinching efforts of Hon’ble Chief Minister Kalaignar and his Government to make Mother Tamil ascend the throne in all walks of life by getting Tamil declared as a Classical Language, thus realizing the century-old dream of the Tamils world over and eminent Tamil scholars like Parithimal Kalaignar (Surya Narayana Sastri); ensuring the fulfilment of the demand that the Central Government should establish a Centre at Chennai for the Classical Tamil; enacting a law for making Tamil a compulsory language subject in schools; establishing Scientific Tamil Mandram and making Tamil as a language of the High Court in its proceedings.

44. This Government is deeply concerned about the untold miseries suffered by the Sri Lankan Tamils in recent times without any security for their lives and property. While the letters written by our Hon’ble Chief Minister in this regard to Tmt. Sonia Gandhi, the guiding spirit of the Union Government and the Hon’ble Prime Minister and their replies are a source of solace and hope to the Sri Lankan Tamils, this Government urges that a peaceful political solution through dialogue, as desired by the Union Government, for this long standing problem of Sri Lankan Tamils should be found.

45. You are aware that it was only this Government, which had enacted the legislation for equal rights to property for women in the year 1989 and provided for reservation of 33% of the seats to them in local bodies for the first time in 1996, thereby protecting gender rights. The legislation for 33% reservation for women in the Parliament and State Legislatures, the next milestone in this progressive march, still remains unrealised. As observed by the Hon’ble Chief Minister in the National Development Council meeting that it would be in the fitness of things if this law is passed at a time when Tmt. Sonia Gandhi is the Chairperson of the United Progressive Alliance, this Government urges the Government of India to expeditiously get this legislation enacted, thereby paving the way to ensure gender equity.

46. This Government, having a long tradition of upholding social justice, shall continue to endeavour for implementation of this policy in all sectors. This Government enacted the law providing for reservation of seats to Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Backward Classes, Most Backward Classes and Denotified Communities in unaided non-minority private educational institutions. Thanks to the ceaseless efforts of this Government, a law providing for reservation in higher educational institutions of the Union Government has been enacted, marking one more significant victory in the struggle for social justice. This Government urges the Government of India to take necessary steps for implementation of reservation in private sector establishments.

47. This Government issued a landmark order upholding social justice, by which qualified Hindus belonging to all communities can become the Archakas in Hindu temples, thus removing the thorn in the heart of Periyar and realising his dream. The High Level Committee headed by Justice A.K. Rajan constituted by the Government to make recommendations for implementation of this order has submitted its recommendations to the Government. The Government has examined the report of the High Level Committee and accepted all the recommendations of the Committee and issued orders.

48. The nation and the media have commended the steps taken by this Government, within just eight months of assuming office, to enact several landmark legislations to promote equity and social justice, like the Act for repealing of the ban on conversions, thereby safeguarding the welfare of minorities and promoting communal harmony; repeal of the TESMA, which had become a tool for the dismissal of the Government employees without prior notice; a separate Act for the State to celebrate and honour the birthday of the great leader Kamaraj forever, as the 'Education Development Day' and a Bill to protect the interests of students from rural areas by abolishing the Common Entrance Test for professional courses.

49. This Government is determined to ensure abolition of the abhorrent practice of manual scavenging and rehabilitation of all persons engaged in this vocation. A scheme of providing income earning alternative employments for these persons has been formulated with an outlay of Rs.58.45 crores.

50. This Government with its secular credentials, envisions a society marked by religious harmony and is determined to ensure the same. This Government, deeply committed to the welfare of minorities, will take all necessary measures for their socioeconomic betterment, having regard to the 15 Point Programme of the Prime Minister and the recommendations of the Justice Rajindar Sachar Committee relating to representation for minorities, much needed for their development.

51. In addition to announcing a number of concessions for the film industry, this Government has reduced the rates of admission to cinema halls with a view to benefiting the cine goers. This has brought public back to cinema halls to watch movies, thereby leading to the revival of film industry.

52. This Government / is marching ahead, / so majestic with multiple-merits/and it has poured on people / a rain of benefits /

by waiving debt of many crores / of farmers who toil with their sweat that falls on the soil, /

by reducing at once clear / the price of rice that relieves hunger, /

by offering two eggs a week regular / to school children weaker /

by performing many an achievement /that are unexpected by any inhabitant, /

by giving free colour TVs / to huts of our poor people / to make them know of world affairs in series, /

by giving poor farmers only / the wasteland improved even if it be of palm-size

to make true Bharathi’s dream / of kaani land concise, /

by reducing fees that students pay / to make them happy straightaway/

like dancing peacocks / or singing cuckoos in play, /

by giving life to gem-like ‘Moovalur Ammaiyar’ wedding scheme

with an increase of Rupees 5,000/ bettering its gleam / and Rupees 15,000 as grace gift / to marriages of girls of poverty extreme,

by granting allowance / to jobless educated youth, / every month in continuance / till they get a job /

by granting Rupees 6,000 prompt /to all the women pregnant; 

And transfers instant / to teachers by counselling ardent;

And an increase significant / in Old Age Pension amount;/

And jobs up to three lakh youth / in the first phase to count /

Free gas-stove to kitchen airs, / with free gas-connection wares /

for the cooking mothers in tears / to feel joy with cheers;/

And revival at once of Farmers’ Shandy/ which in the past was nullified/

to make farmers and consumers feel gratified /

And Incentive to workers busy / with restoration of wages increased /

And other benefits follow like a serial

with Schemes that are highly beneficial…

And I assure ---/

that this Government, /

without thinking that it is enough just to reign –/

will undoubtedly continue / doing its Service plain, /

not only in the reign of our Land, /but everywhere--in cities, /

towns, / villages, / nooks and crannies, /

even by crossing hills and forests many, /

on principle / that Service to people is Service to Almighty –/

With my assurance this Government will steadfastly march,

I complete my speech, thanking the Hon’ble Members of this August House for their support, cooperation and critical views for the effective implementation of the various special schemes of this Government, thus lending a helping hand and adding strength to this Government headed by the Hon’ble Chief Minister, Kalaignar M.Karunanidhi and the people belonging to all sections of the society in our beloved State of Tamil Nadu.

Vanakkam

Jai Hind