Stalin announces 7 ambitious projects in Chennai

CHENNAI: Chief Minister M K Stalin on Tuesday launched seven pioneering development schemes, including a new scheme to stop manual scavenging and transform those engaged in conservancy work into entrepreneurs and a separate scheme to address malnutrition among children aged six months to six years in the State.

Stalin launched the schemes under "Yetramigu Yelu Thittangal" (Seven development-oriented schemes), which are believed to fall within the seven key areas the ruling DMK had promised to address in their Tiruchy rally prior to the 2021 Assembly poll.

First among the schemes launched on the eve of the Chief Minister's 70th birthday, at a function held at Anna Centenary Library on Tuesday morning was the idea of transforming conservancy workers, especially the heirs of manual scavenging victims and families currently engaged in conservancy work, into entrepreneurs.

The Tamil Nadu government would provide modern equipment and vehicles plus skill development training to the families of the conservancy workers under the scheme to be implemented through Chennai Metro water in association with DICCI (Dalit Chamber of Commerce and Industry) in Chennai Metropolitan Area first. The government has proposed to extend the scheme gradually to other urban areas in the state.

Child nutritional development scheme

The second scheme ecompasses addressing malnutrition and malnourishment among children aged six months to six years in the state. As per the scheme, children in the said age group would be distributed ready-to-use-therapeutic food (RUTF) and mothers of babies would be provided with nutritional packages to increase their nutrition level.

The government, which has issued orders to distribute three eggs per week and biscuit packets, would continuously monitor the beneficiaries to ensure improvement in their nutritional level and right growth among them.

Priority to disabled in free house site patta distirbution

The Chief Minister has also launched the scheme of providing free house site pattas to physically challenged people. Disabled people living below the poverty line would be given priority in such patta distribution by the state revenue department.

Among the schemes was one proposing to increase the monthly financial assistance to transgenders to Rs 1,500 and offering them jobs in vacant positions in various departments.

Extension of breakfast scheme for students

Stalin has also launched the extension of the free breakfast scheme for school students to 433 schools in the 36 urban local bodies where the scheme is under implementation. An additional 56,098 school students would be distributed breakfast, thereby taking the overall tally of beneficiaries of the scheme to 1.06 lakh students in the State.

Finally, the Chief Minister also laid the foundation stone for constructing hospitals in 44 new places at an estimated cost of Rs 1,136.32 crore in the State.