No files pending on my desk, says Chief Minister

The Chief Minister noted that the state was committed to celebrating those who have contributed to the cause of Tamil language and included a list of initiatives undertaken by the government, including the memorial announced for Dr B Sivanthi Aditanar, son of Daily Thanthi group’s founder Si Pa Aditanar.

“As part of MGR centenary celebrations, a mega arch will come up on Kamarajar Salai,” Palaniswami announced.

He said he would vehemently oppose the National Medical Council Bill as it is detrimental to the future of students from the state besides infringing upon the state’s rights. “The state would continue to oppose the proposed reforms,” the CM added.

On Cyclone Ockhi relief, the CM said, “I have been impressing upon Prime Minister Narendra Modi to continue the search and rescue until the last fisherman was traced. I had also written to the Defence Minsiter Nirmala Sitharaman in this regard recently.”

Palaniswami also rebutted the Leader of Opposition (LoP) MK Stalin for demanding new project announcements in Governor’s address and for reading the state’s financial indicators out of context.

“As the budget is due in a month or two, expecting new announcements is unnecessary. The state’s Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) is maintained well within the permissible limits,” he added.

While Palaniswami boasted of ‘Kudimaramthu’ scheme, Deputy LoP Duraimurugan interrupted the reply and sought to know the number of lakes desilted under this initiative besides complaining that much of the silt was being taken away by brick kiln owners.

Palaniswami replied that 1,519 lakes were desilted under this initiative and assured that action was being taken on the brick kiln owners and added that it

would continue.