CM urges banks to help plastics firms to shift biz

The Chief Minister was speaking at a seminar organised by the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) here.

“I appeal to banks to offer loans to women’s Self Help Groups, currently engaged in producing alternative products for plastics.  Besides, giving loans to companies engaged in manufacturing plastics will help them take up other business opportunities,” he said.

The Chief Minister further said that NABARD would distribute Rs 2.21 lakh crore for various developmental projects. “Among the total fund of Rs 2.21 lakh crore, Rs 1.46 lakh crore would be allotted for farmers and farm related businesses. As a farmer I am happy at the announcement,” said Palaniswami, at the seminar.

He released the broacher of the scheme of distributing Rs 2.21 lakh crore to the state. In his address, Palaniswami said that the policy of the state government is to expand agriculture related activities and to shield farmers from adversaries.

Recalling the steps taken by the state government to increase farm produce in the state, Palaniswami said that second green revolution in the state, which commenced in 2011-12, resulted in massive increase in production of food grains.

“Between 2011-12 and 2017-18, the total production of food grains crossed 100 lakh metric tonnes mark on five occasions and for the best performance the Union government awarded ‘Krishi Karman’ awards for the state government. For the welfare of the coconut farmers, state government permitted the farmers to produce ‘Neera,’ a juice from coconut tree, he added.

Palaniswami also said that state government is planning to setup large and very large food parks in Tamil Nadu. “For the purpose of setting up large and very large food parks in the state, the government launched ‘The Tamil Nadu Food Processing Policy-2018. Under the policy, large and very large food parks would be setup in 10 districts,” he said.

The Mega Food Parks are proposed to come up in Theni, Virudhunagar, Thoothukudi, Erode, Cuddalore, Salem, Dindigul, Tirunelveli, Tiruvannamalai and Krishnagiri.

Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami on Thursday launched a software, ‘Integrated Financial and Human Resources Management System’ to have a tab on the revenue and expenditures of the state government. 

According to the official release, the integrated software is launched at the total cost of Rs 288.91 crore. Apart from the revenue and expenditure of the state government, the portal will have all the details of people who have taxes pending to the state government and people can also pay their taxes through the portal.

Through the software, administration would be eased as the details of pensioners and funds in Treasuries would also be present.

“The burden of government employees in maintaining the accounts would be reduced. The accounts of 9 lakh government employees would be maintained in the software. “Their designation and details of promotion would also be maintained in the software,” the press release stated.

To implement the software, Accenture Services Pvt Ltd was appointed as advisory agency, Wipro was appointed as coordinating agency and Pricewaterhousecoopers was appointed as third-party audit agency.

The software would be implemented in two phases. The first phase was implemented on Thursday and the second phase would soon be launched.

Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami on Thursday inaugurated the scheme of distribution of free country chickens to rural women. 

According to the scheme, 50 asil variety country chickens would be distributed per beneficiary at the total cost of Rs 50 crore. State government had approved the distribution of free chicken to 77,000 women.

Inaugurating the scheme, Palaniswami said, “The state government had increased the fund from Rs 25 crore to Rs 50 crore under poultry development scheme. Along with free chickens, cages are also given to the women.”

Under the scheme, four weeks old country chickens, 25 roosters and equal number of hens, will be distributed. According to the statement from Palaniswami, women can start selling the roosters after 16 weeks.

He also said that 20 roosters can be sold after 16 weeks and after the sale, the reproduction of chickens and egg production can be carried out with the help of remaining five roosters. 

“The scheme will turn rural women into women entrepreneurs. The revenue of individuals will be increased and the rural economy will witness a growth,” said Palaniswami.