On reopening of schools, Sengottaiyan said that it is not possible to reopen schools given the pandemic situation. “A decision on reopening schools can be taken only if the COVID-19 situation changes,” he said. 

However, the Centre had issued standard operating procedures (SOPs) for schools to reopen from October 15 as part of its Unlock guidelines. On initiating action against schools which collected high fees in violation of the High Court order, the Minister said that the court had issued orders against nine schools, while the complainants in the remaining five schools failed to give a convincing report to initiate action. He added that the State government is prepared to distribute books for any number of students, who join the schools. 

“More number of students have joined government and government-aided schools and there is enough stock of books for distribution,” he said. 

On welfare projects executed during the pandemic, Sengottaiyan said that even Prime Minister Narendra Modi had appreciated Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami for the State’s effort in controlling the virus spread.