Tamil Nadu   

Jayalalithaa promises project to conserve floodwater

Staff Reporter

Ends campaign in Tuticorin district

TUTICORIN: Chief Minister Jayalalithaa ended her two-day election campaign in the district on Wednesday, promising that steps would be taken to implement a project to conserve floodwater from the Tamirabarani, if the All-India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) was voted back to power.

Addressing voters at North Authoor, Pazhayakayal, Muthiapuram, Tuticorin town, Ettayapuram and Kovilpatti in the district, she said the proposed project to conserve the excess water from the river being drained into the Gulf of Mannar would enable the Government to provide adequate water to cater to the farmers' needs.

Besides, measures would be taken to desilt the Tamirabarani at Punnakayal, where sand gets deposited at the Gulf of Mannar estuary, frequently obstructing fishing activities.

Ms. Jayalalithaa said owing to the formation of women self-help groups by her Government, lakhs of women across the district had attained self-sufficiency and were economically independent now.

"So far, 9,829 groups had been formed in the district exclusively for women and 1,60,958 women in the district became part of the SHG movement."

She said savings of these SHG members stood at Rs.31.27 crore and they had so far procured loans to the tune of Rs.80.28 crore to start business ventures. "Economic activities undertaken by them has not only helped enhance the living standards of their respective households, but benefited society as a whole."

The Chief Minister said during the last five years, the Government spent Rs.191 crore to augment infrastructure in the district. It included construction of bridges and laying of roads. Despite lack of cooperation from the Centre and the Union Ministers hailing from the State, the State Government carried out development works in an unprecedented manner and overcame obstacles such as drought, flood and tsunami in the last five years.

Five lakh jobs

Ms. Jayalalithaa assured the electors that steps would be taken to create at least five lakh job opportunities as soon as the AIADMK came back to power.

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