State unveils grand plan for MGR centenary

The celebrations would commence in Madurai on June 30 and would finally end in January 2018, an official release stated. The inaugural would be presided over by EPS in the presence of various ministers. Prizes would be awarded to the winners of various competitions conducted in this connection. At the meeting EPS released a centenary CD which was received by Forest Minister Dindigul C Srinivasan. Lok Sabha Deputy Speaker M Thambidurai was also present.

More funds for desilting tanks

An additional Rs.300 crore had been sanctioned for desilting 2065 irrigation tanks under the kudimaramathu scheme, following more than 80% work in the 1,519 tanks taken up for desilting earlier at Rs,100 crore being completed, TN chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswamy told the Assembly on Wednesday.

When Opposition Deputy Leader Duraimurugan wanted a list of tanks being desilted, EPS said the work was done with villagers participation and was not tendered. Thennarasu had also demanded two minsters to handle the PWD. A separate river water authority of TN should be set up, he demanded. Referring to the bad condition of the Madurai ring road, EPS said the delay was due to records not being handed over. 

Once this was done, covering potholes though patches would stop.Responding to Thennarasu’s demand for road laying and widening be based on population of a locality, EPS said vehicle density basis was right as otherwise only accidents would result. Earlier, during a special calling attention motion on registration fee hike affecting revenue, Commercial Taxes Minister KC Veeramani said this had many advantages for the public. On last Friday, the government had realised R.70 crore through 15,000 documents.