SWEET MOMENT: Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi distributing sweets to students at Fort St. George in Chennai on Tuesday. — Photo: S.R. Raghunathan

CHENNAI: Expressing the hope that "a smooth and cordial relationship with the Centre and the neighbouring States will help the progress of Tamil Nadu without any impediments," Chief Minister M.Karunanidhi on Tuesday appealed to all sections of people to cooperate with his Government for successful implementation of its schemes.

In his Independence Day address from the ramparts of Fort St. George, Mr.Karunanidhi, after unfurling the National Flag, said an allowance scheme for unemployed youth would commence on October 2.

This was among the "most attractive" promises made in the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK)'s election manifesto, drawing the attention of the entire country.

Relief to women

The poll promise of free cooking gas connections and stoves to the poor and downtrodden sections would be launched on Pongal day in 2007.

The Rs.150-crore scheme to be implemented continuously would come as relief for these people, particularly the womenfolk, who use firewood oven and kerosene stove for cooking, he said.

The Government would bear the cost of deposit for obtaining the gas connection under this scheme, besides providing the gas stoves free.

Stating that the Government had implemented most of the promises made in the manifesto, he said a time-bound action plan had been chalked out to fulfil the "few remaining assurances."

Free TV sets scheme

As announced, the launch of free colour television sets scheme was slated for September 15 while the wasteland project would commence on September 17, he said.

To take quick decisions on government schemes, seven Cabinet meetings were held in the last three months.

Besides, meetings were held with Congress president Sonia Gandhi, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, leaders of alliance parties and Chief Ministers of neighbouring States, seeking their cooperation and assistance for the development of the State.

It was a credit to the Government and Tamil Nadu that demands were being raised that the "rice for Rs. 2 a kg scheme" should be implemented throughout the country, he said.

Mr. Karunanidhi recalled various steps taken by the Government in the last 90 days, such as cooperative farm loan waiver to the tune of Rs.7,000 crore, abolishing contract appointment of teachers, scaling down the fee in engineering colleges, introducing a Bill on social security for farmers and agricultural labourers and attracting more investments in the industrial sector.

The Chief Minister took salute at the guard of honour offered by the different wings of police.

Chawla Award presented

Karunanidhi conferred the Kalpana Chawla Award for Courage and Daring Enterprise on W.B. Vasantha Kandasamy, a lecturer at Indian Institute of Technology, for "her exemplary contribution to the field of mathematics" and for her services to the underprivileged.

He also handed over awards to individuals and institutions for their exemplary service to disabled. Each award carried a gold medal and a citation.

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