The Hindu : Project to channel youth power into constructive activities

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Feb 10, 2004

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Project to channel youth power into constructive activities

By R. Ilangovan

KRISHNAGIRI, FEB. 9. To prevent youth from leaning towards extremist organisations such as the naxalite group, the Tamil Nadu Government has introduced a socio-economic welfare project in the composite Dharmapuri district (including the new Krishnagiri district). It is primarily to channel youth power into positive and constructive activities, the Chief Minister, Jayalalithaa, said today.

Inaugurating Krishnagiri district, 30th in the State, and declaring open and laying the foundation stone for various development projects costing Rs. 101.35 crores for both Krishnagiri and Dharmapuri districts, here, the Chief Minister recalled that during her previous regime (1991-1996) the naxal menace in Dharmapuri district was brought under control. But during the last DMK rule, the naxalite movement started rearing its head again. "But with iron hands, my regime has now totally contained their extremist activities and thus paved way for the citizens of the Dharmapuri district to live a peaceful life," she said.

The primary objective of this socio-economic welfare project being implemented in 100 villages at cost of Rs. 5 crores was to make youth think and act positively. Youth committees were being formed in all these villages. These panels would undertake skill-development activities. The scheme would include the establishment of libraries, promotion of sericulture, development of sports skills and special training for the youth to join the Army and the Police, creation of employment opportunities, establishment of sub-health centres, installation of solar streetlights and healthcare education. On her direction, 716 self-help groups were formed in these districts to provide skill and entrepreneurship development for the youth, Ms. Jayalalithaa said.

Her near-45 minute speech was interspersed with a few short tales, containing veiled references to the prevailing political situation in the State.

The Chief Minister said the district bifurcation would benefit both the administration and the people. The exercise would improve the socio-economic status of the people as it provided better accessibility to the administrators and easy reach for the people to government schemes. She said Krishnagiri reclaimed its lost glory by becoming a district once again. It was a separate district some two centuries ago. The district would soon have a master complex for which Rs. 10 crores was sanctioned, she said.

Earlier, the Chief Secretary, Lakshmi Pranesh, said the composite Dharmapuri district had remained backward in many spheres. "Now the bifurcation would benefit both these districts to achieve total development."

The Information Minister, K.P.Anbazhagan, presided. The State Ministers, Valarmathi and O.Panneerselvam, spoke.

The Chief Minister also distributed welfare schemes to the tune of Rs. 6.70 crores to 8,385 beneficiaries in Krishnagiri and Rs 6.75 crores to 10,183 beneficiaries in Dharmapuri district.

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