The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : Government to constitute State Monitoring Committee

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Saturday, Mar 24, 2007
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Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

Government to constitute State Monitoring Committee

S. Dorairaj

Comprising representatives of parties in Assembly, it will monitor schemes

CHENNAI: The Government on Friday announced in the budget that it would constitute a high-level State Monitoring Committee, to be headed by the Chief Minister, which will have representatives of political parties in the Assembly.

The announcement was immediately welcomed by two of the DMK's allies, the Congress and the Communist Party of India.

The Government decided to set up the panel on the lines of the one constituted to monitor the free colour television scheme, with a view to ensuring that the benefits of the major welfare projects reached the eligible persons.

The committee would monitor implementation of public distribution system, free gas stove scheme, Dr. Muthulakshmi Reddy Memorial Maternity Assistance Scheme, Moovalur Ramamirtham Ammaiyar Memorial Marriage Assistance Scheme, scheme for providing assistance to the educated unemployed and the free bicycle scheme.

It would also advise the Government on how to make these schemes more effective.

Congress happy

Congress Legislature Party leader D. Sudarsanam and Whip S. Peter Alphonse, commended the decision to constitute the panel. It would enable the Opposition to voice its views on the implementation of the schemes effectively, Mr. Alphonse said.

CPI leader V. Sivapunniyam said the panel's activities should percolate down to the Assembly segments, where the views of the legislators should be taken note of.

Mr. Alphonse said the Congress welcomed various concessions announced for the farmers such as reducing the rate of cooperative crop loan interest from 7 per cent to 5 per cent, plan to take leading farmers to Australia and Israel to expose them to modern agricultural techniques and distributing essential articles through PDS.

However, the party expressed its disappointment over the Government's failure to announce a hike in the freedom fighters' pension, Mr. Sudarsanam said.

CPI reaction

Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader C. Govindasamy said though his party welcomed the announcements to strengthen PDS, curb online trade and allocate funds for farmers' social security scheme, it was dismayed at the lack of initiative to delegate more powers and funds for local bodies.

There was no announcement on providing statutory powers to the State Women's Commission.

Pattali Makkal Katchi leader G.K. Mani appreciated the Government's view on the need to amend the Constitution to ensure social justice and transfer of more powers to States. However, no funds had been earmarked for the Hoggenekkal comprehensive drinking water supply scheme.

Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam leader M. Kannappan said the Government's stand on special economic zone would affect farmers' interests.

Dravidar Kazhagam president K. Veeramani welcomed the announcement on establishing archaka training institutions at six places, including Palani, Madurai and Chennai.

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