Closure of 500 liquor shops among first 5 orders of CM

Palanisamy who assumed office at the Secretariat on Monday, ordered the closure of 500 TASMAC shops, part of AIADMK’s poll promise of implementing total prohibition in a phased manner, thereby reducing the shop numbers to 5,700.  As per CM’s order, the State would pay 50 per cent subsidy or a sum not exceeding Rs 20,000 each to one lakh working women for purchase of two-wheelers, which would cost Rs 200 crore per fiscal to the state exchequer. 

The CM also hiked the maternal assistance for poor pregnant women from Rs 12,000 to Rs 18,000 under the Dr Muthulakshmi Reddy Maternity Benefit Scheme, which would benefit six lakh women at a cost of Rs 360 crore. 

The new regime also attempted to appease the disgruntled fishermen community for whom the CM has ordered the construction of 5,000 houses (Rs 1.70 lakh each) at an estimated Rs 85 crore. Youth were also addressed by the new CM who doubled the monthly dole being given to unemployed youths, starting from Class 10, 12 (both pass and failed) and graduates, which would incur Rs 31 crore per annum. The CM also assured that drought relief to affected farmers would be given at the earliest.

Unlike his predecessor O Panneerselvam, it is noteworthy that Palanisamy immediately occupied former chief minister J Jayalalithaa’s chamber on Monday. This is something OPS had not dared to do during his three terms as stop-gap chief minister. That EPS signed orders for AIADMK’s flagship schemes is also an indication that he has all plans to function as full-time CM for whatever period he remains at CMO.

Several actresses said that more than safety, they are concerned about how they are treated on the sets as well. Actress Janani said it is more important to bring about a change in mindset. “At the end of the day, we are normal girls who want to get home after a day’s work. We also have families waiting for us. People don’t realise that this is a job like any other, and we don’t appreciate the unwanted attention on the sets, and sometimes off it as well.”