The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Global tenders to procure colour TVs

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, May 31, 2006

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Global tenders to procure colour TVs

Special Correspondent

Committee comprising MLAs will be constituted to take decisions

CHENNAI: Chief Minister M.Karunanidhi on Tuesday said the government would float open global tenders for procuring 14 inch colour televisions to fulfil the promise of providing colour TV to each poor household that did not have one.

In his reply to the motion of thanks to the Governor's address, he said a committee comprising MLAs would be constituted to take decisions on procurement and ensure there were no complaints at the distribution stage.

To be reinstated

All Primary Health Centres will be provided with adequate staff, he said, in reply to a query raised by S. Rajasekaran. The 13,000 health workers in panchayats, whose services were terminated by the AIADMK Government, would be reinstated. Their pay would be increased from Rs. 750 to Rs. 950. A travelling allowance of Rs. 50 would be given. This would cost the government Rs. 17 crore a year.

To a request from Y. Sivapunniyam (CPI), he said the Social Reform department, which was created in 2000 and abolished by the AIADMK Government, would begin functioning soon to spread rationalism and teachings of Periyar and Anna.

Transfers

As many as 100 middle schools would be upgraded to high schools and 100 high schools to higher secondary schools. The orders would be issued in June itself, unlike in the past, he said. Philanthropists would be encouraged to construct buildings or classrooms for schools. This initiative launched by the DMK Government was discontinued by the AIADMK. All transfers would be done through counselling in a transparent manner.

All the 113 Periyar Samathuvapurams (a residential area where people of all religions and castes reside) would be refurbished. So would the farmer's markets. He said that he would declare open the refurbished farmer's market and Samathuvapuram in Ambattur.

On E.S.S.Raman's (Cong.) demand that the two per cent tax on hank yarn be withdrawn, he said that before the preparation of the budget, the Finance Minister would hold discussions with all sections of traders and take their views into consideration. The DMK had traditionally prepared its budget with inputs from all and a similar exercise would be undertaken this time too.

Mr. Karunanidhi said he had agreed to meet representatives of the dyeing units on a request from C.Govindasamy (CPI-M). The meet would discuss ways to overcome the pollution problem in and around Tiruppur.

On Congress whip Peter Alphonse's demand to establish and aeronautical institute in memory of Rajiv Gandhi at Sriperumbudur, he said that the State Government would approach the Centre.

Advice to police

Commenting on the rise in accidents on East Coast Road, Mr. Karunanidhi said the accidents happened regardless of who was in power. The police should take a proactive role to prevent deaths on roads. The speed limits should be enforced. "Prevention of such accidents will be an important work of this Government."

He told T. Ramachandran (Independent) that after the member brought to his notice the incident of an elephant trampling to death a farmer in Thalli, he had sanctioned Rs. 1 lakh to the next of kin. He assured members that any such incident would be considered compassionately by the Government and wanted them to bring to his notice such instances.

Responding to Kovai Thangam (Cong.), Mr. Karunanidhi announced the setting up of an arts college affiliated to Bharatiyar University.

Conceding a request of D. Ravikumar (DPI), he said the number of copies of any publication procured by the libraries department would be raised from the present 750 to 1,000. (Mr.Ravikumar had also wanted royalty paid to people in the Veeranam catchment areas since water was being extracted for use in Chennai.)

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