State plans to give old age pension to 5 lakh citizens: EPS

“The state government has already passed a Government Order (GO) to provide pension for senior citizens under National Old Age Pension Scheme (NOAPS) and funds were allotted. So far, 1.54 lakh senior citizens are already covered under NOAPS and the remaining 3.5 lakh senior citizens will also be covered under the scheme,” said the Chief Minister.

He also said that when the elected representatives met people the common demand was to provide pension for senior citizens and to fulfil their demands government has ordered officials to provide pension for all eligible senior citizens.

DMK Treasurer Duraimurugan intervened and said that though Chief Minister boasts of giving pension to all senior citizens the ground reality is completely different as officials reject the petitions of even the eligible senior citizens. “When I approach the tahsildars, they inform me that there are several restrictions in giving pension. The officials say that only when a person dies, they can give pension to a new person and the Chief Minister should give special attention to the issue,” said Duraimurugan.

To this, the Chief Minister replied that if MLAs submit the applications of eligible candidates their application would be definitely considered.

Water works

Palaniswami also said that 34,871 small water bodies renovated at the cost of Rs 2,182 crore from 2017 till 2019. In corporations, municipalities and town panchayats 1,315 water bodies at the cost of Rs 811.68 were renovated. 59 large dams and 40,000 small check dams were constructed at the cost of Rs 1,141 crore.

He further said that Chennai is the only city in the country where 20 per cent of its drainage is recycled. Tertiary treatment plants in Kodungaiyur and Koyambedu 45 million litres per day (MLD) for industries.

To prevent drainage water getting mixed up in Coovum, Adyar and Buckingham canals Rs 2,371 crore has been allotted. Minjur and Nemili 100 MLD desal plants were setup. In Perur, 400 MLD desal plant is in progress. These plants will supply drinking water even if rains fail in Chennai.