Filling coffer is not our target: CM Stalin

CHENNAI: Chief Minister M K Stalin on Saturday said that the target of his government was not filling the coffer of the state government, but creating financial resources to implement schemes.

Speaking at the “livelihood confidence” conference of JACTO-GEO at Island Grounds in the city, Stalin said, “Our target is not saving thousands of crores in the state exchequer. We only want to create necessary funds to implement the scheme I envisage. If you ask me if we have such funds, no we don’t.”

“If one asks if it can be created. Yes. Definitely. Our financial management is so apt. Hence, we are marching forward in all departments in comparison with other states,” the CM added.

Pointing to the state’s own tax revenue achieving a 52.3% growth in the first quarter of the current financial year, the CM said that many industrial establishments are coming forward to invest in Tamil Nadu, which contributes to the state’s growth. “When it (the investment) translates into comprehensive growth, all our desires and dreams will come true,” he added.

Reasoning that the government could not fulfil all the demands made to them owing to the financial situation of the state, the CM announced that the about 16,000 teachers and others on temporary part-time jobs would be allowed to continue till they reach age 60.

CM condoles demise of

two girls in Namakkal

CM Stalin also condoled the demise of two teenage girls who drowned in Namakkal. Expressing his grief, Stalin, in a statement issued late Saturday, said that G Janani (14), daughter of Ganesan — Vennila couple and K Rachhana (15), daughter of Kannan — Tamilselvi couple, drowned when they went to learn swimming in in Namakkal during their school holidays. The CM also ordered the payment of Rs 2 lakh each to the families of the two girls from the Chief Minister’s Public Relief Fund.