Tamil Nadu - Madurai   

Chithirai exhibition inaugurated in Madurai

— Photo: G. Moorthy

Impressive: Minister for Information Parithi Ilamvazhuthi, right, and Minister for Adi Dravida Welfare, A. Tamilarasi, second from right, and Collector S.S. Jawahar, second from left, at the inauguration of the exhibition in Madurai on Sunday.

MADURAI: The 25th edition of the annual Government Chithirai Exhibition of the Department of Information and Public Relations was inaugurated at the Tamukkam Auditorium here on Sunday.

The Minister for Information, Parithi Ilamvazhuthi, who inaugurated the expo, said apart from providing entertainment to all age groups, the exhibition would also disseminate information on the State Government’s various schemes and achievements.

As on March 17, free gas stoves were distributed to over 7 lakh beneficiaries. In the second phase, free televisions were given to 25.3 lakh persons and in the third phase to 4.53 lakh persons. The Rs. 2 per kg of rice had benefited 1.78 crore families.

So successful had been the Rs.2 per kg of rice scheme, said Mr. Parithi Ilamvazhuthi, that the Congress Government in Andhra Pradesh was also emulating it.

The Government had also signed Memorandum of Understanding with industries, which would generate employment to nearly 1.5 lakh persons.

He said that the Government had also waived off Rs.793 crore worth of loans which local bodies owed.

Speaking earlier, Minister for Adi Dravida Welfare, A. Tamilarasi, said that such exhibitions were a place for children to increase their knowledge.

District Collector S.S. Jawahar said that 15 Government departments, 6 Government undertakings, 27 private sector players and 62 small shops have set stalls in the expo.

The last edition of the expo attracted 5.45 lakh visitors and generated a revenue of Rs.26 lakh.

This year, he said, art programmes would be held everyday.

In association with Tourism Department, a ‘Muthamizh Vizha’ would be held between April 18 and 20.

The Madurai West MLA, K.S.K. Rajendran, said that Madurai being a fast growing city, next in population only to Chennai, it needed a permanent centre to host such exhibitions.

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