A
London-based doctor – an expatriate Sri Lankan Tamil – came to our office last
week to get some details about the ongoing projects and schemes of the State
government in Tamil Nadu. He said he had been conversing with a number of
people – mostly auto drivers, traders and assistants at his place of stay in
the city, all of whom but for one, were appreciative of the DMK government. For
instance, an auto driver had told him that his son, who secured 80 percent in Plus
Two examination, got admission in an engineering college under government quota
in OBC category. Much more, the government also pays the tuition fees as his
son is the First generation graduate student in his family, he and his wife
having only school education. “How can I be ungrateful to Kalaignar?” the auto
driver had asked. The only dissenting voice was that of an auto driver,
obviously ADMK supporter, whose ‘grievance’ was that flat flood relief of
Rs.2,000 was not paid now as in 2005. (There were no torrential rain for four
months and floods this year as in 2005, and more over it was because of
Kalaignar’s persuasion that the Centre sanctioned aid for which Jayalalitha
sought to take credit).
The
experience of the London
Although
the dictum for democracy is said to be the government “of the people, by the
people and for the people”, hardly any government in the states or Centre in
the country or in the world could justifiably claim that their government had
reached everyone to be called “for the people.” But surpassing all its enviable
records during the earlier rules, the present DMK government led by the
visionary and compassionate leader Kalaignar, can proudly claim that it has
reached every household, every family and every individual in the state
starting right from the first minute after assuming office on May 23, 2006.
With
the very first order that Kalaignar as Chief Minister signed, for distribution
of rice through Public Distribution System for Rs.Two per kg. to all family
cardholders irrespective of income, the DMK government reached every house and
its occupants and later when the price of rice was further reduced to one rupee
a kg. they were doubly benefited. Now all the households in the state can draw
from the PDS shops toor dhal, black gram dhal, edible oil, fortified atta,
maida and other groceries for cheaper prices besides sugar and kerosene at
subsidized rates. They are also supplied with free Pongal gift bgas containing
all ingredients for preparing pongal for Pongal festival every year besides the
annual distribution of free sarees and dhotis on the occasion. There are 1.96
crore family cardholders in the state who are entitled to get 20 kg. of rice at
Re.One per kg., dhalls, oil and One kg. of other commodities. Rice is sold in
open market for prices ranging from Rs.30 a kg.; so in rice alone every family
is saved from price rise to the extent of Rs.600 and in other items to the tune
of Rs.150-200 and totally Rs.800. (Excluding sugar and kerosene). The Public
Distribution System in Tamil Nadu is hailed as a model for the country in
providing food security to people.
In
a path-breaking initiative, the DMK government is implementing Kalaignar
Housing Scheme, under which an estimated 21 lakh thatched roof huts in the
state are to be converted into permanent concrete houses at a cost of Rs.75,000
per each dwelling and to be handed over to the beneficiaries free of costs, in
the course of 6 years. Funds have been allotted for construction of three lakh
houses during the current financial year and all the built houses will be
handed over before the end of March next year. The rest of the beneficiaries
under the scheme in all districts have been identified and eligibility letter
have been presented to them thus ensuring free concrete houses in due course as
a matter of right.
Even
now, poor people in rural areas of Tamil Nadu are living in thatched roof huts
without having any protection from national calamities. With a view to
completely changing this pathetic situation, this revolutionary scheme
envisages to create hut free villages in the state. The work of constructing permanent
houses under this scheme for all families living in thatched roof huts
irrespective of their caste or affiliations and handing over the houses had
commenced in all village panchayats and progressing in the current financial
year itself, so that three lakh houses are occupied by the beneficiaries by the
end of March next year. For many of these families it is for the first time in
their generations that they get permanent pucca houses. Thus Kalaignar rule has
made easy the proverbial ‘much-difficult to accomplish task’ of constructing a
house.’ (Å£il¡ f£o¥gh®)
As
in the case of Kalaignar Housing Scheme, the unit cost of the houses
constructed under the schemes of the Union government, Indira Awaas Yojna has
also been increased to Rs.75,000 and one lakh houses will be constructed with
the State government share of 50 percent. In the urban areas also, 10,000
houses will be constructed in lieu of huts in the coming financial year under
Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission.
Another
aspect of concern for people of all ages is public healthcare. One state that
has led the nation in building a strong foundation of public health services is
Tamil Nadu. In rural areas, it has extended health services successfully
through a network of District and Taluk level hospitals, Primary Health Centres
and Health Sub Centres. It is no wonder that a World Bank report said, “Tamil
Nadu shows the way in tackling India
Tamil
Nadu has also been a trendsetter in the provision of maternal and new natal
care. The state has made major progress in improving maternal and child health
outcomes. More than 99.5 percent of deliveries in the state now take place in
medical institutions. Under the Dr. Muthulakshmi Reddy Memorial Maternity
Assistance SchemeÏ financial assistance is provided to pregnant women at the
rate of Rs.6,000 each. Nearly 25 lakh women have received the financial
assistance. As an innovated social measure, the PHCs and even some government
hospitals organize ‘Valaikappu’ ceremony for pregnant women of poor families
who cannot afford to conduct it.
It
will not be an exaggeration to state that the Kalaignar Health Insurance Scheme
for Life Saving Treatments is the jewel in the crown among all achievements of
this government under the leadership of Kalaignar. 1.44 crore poor families
have been enrolled under this revolutionary scheme till March 2006, and
1,88,075 persons have till August 2010 undergone treatment for life threatening
disease at a cost of Rs.350 crore. The government has allocated Rs.750 crore
for payment of insurance premium.
The
free emergency ‘108’ ambulance service scheme is another scheme which has been
appreciated by one and all like Kalaignar Health Insurance Scheme. Under this
scheme 600 ambulances are functioning very well with trained paramedical staff
and equipped with all medical apparatus required for emergency treatment in
each in the entire state. As a result nearly eight lakh persons have benefited
so far including about 30,000 persons in critical conditions saved because of
immediate admission to hospitals. Six new medical college hospitals have been
established. Over all, the budget allocation for Health department has been
increased from Rs.1951 crore in 2006-07 to Rs.3,889 crore in 2010-11.
Traditionally
Tamil Nadu had been a leading state in the country in the field of education.
Lifting the ban on recruitment of teachers by the previous regime 1,07,020 new
teachers were appointed in government schools in four years. The state has
achieved the distinction of all government middle, high and higher secondary schools
having facilities for computer education. With a view to ensuring uniform and
quality education to all students, the government has introduced uniform system
of education with common syllabus framed by the common board. A library of
international standards, Arignar Anna Centenary Library, has been established
in Chennai at a cost of Rs.200 crore.
After
2006, six new medical colleges, 14 new government arts and science colleges, 11
new government engineering colleges and four technological universities have
been established. Tuition fees for all students pursuing graduate and
postgraduate courses in government arts and science colleges have been
abolished. The government is spending this year Rs.10,148 crore for school
education and Rs.1,751 crore for higher education. Under Nutritious Meal
Programme 69 lakh children and students are provided with five eggs per week
along with meals. In addition 18 lakh children and five lakh pregnant women and
lactating mothers benefit through 54,439 children centres.
No
other government in the country can excel the DMK government in its
achievements in the cause of women, who constitute half of the population.
Tamil Nadu was the first state to provide reservation for women in local
bodies. Also it was Kalaignar, who legislated equal property rights for women, provided
30 percent reservation in government jobs and 50 percent quota in primary
school teacher posts.
Under
the Moovalur Ramamirtham Ammayar Marriage Assistance scheme for providing
financial assistance for marriage of women belonging to poor families, the
amount has been increased to Rs.25,000 benefiting 4.28 lakh women so far. 29
lakh families have been given free gas stoves with LPG connection, in order to
provide relief to women in domestic chore.
The
performance of Women Self Help Groups in the state is hailed all over the
country. It has grown as a huge movement with 4.74 lakh WSHGs comprising of
73.60 lakh members. During the last four years the DMK government has provided
revolving fund of Rs.315 crore to 3.15 lakh groups, the cheques being handed
over to every group leader personally by Deputy Chief Minister Thiru
M.K.Stalin, who has made a record of sorts by standing for more than 100 hours
in functions. They have been provided with bank loans to the tune of Rs.7,757
crore. The Tamil Nadu Corporation for Development of Women is providing various
supportive measures to the WSHGs. A Marketing Complex named after Mother Teresa
for marketing the products of these groups has been established in Chennai.
These women in SHGs have become self-reliant and turning into entrepreneurs,
thus providing economic and social empowerment for women.
Over
10 lakh aged persons, one lakh differently abled destitutes, 1.69 lakh
agricultural women and one lakh destitute women totalling 20 lakh persons are
receiving monthly pension of Rs.400 each. 3.53 lakh educated unemployed youth
are also paid monthly financial assistance. Welfare boards for 32 different
unorganized workers have been formed and for the first time in the country a welfare
board for transgenders has been set up.
In
four years 4,65,748 persons were appointed in government offices, local bodies,
boards and public sector undertakings. Due to the DMK government’s policies and
transparent governance 37 new industries with an investment of Rs.48,000 crore
were set up in four years providing direct employment to about three lakh
persons and indirect employment to over 10 lakh persons. The sunrise
Information Technology sector is providing employment to about five lakh educated
youth, virtually bringing about a change in the face of Chennai and Tier-II
cities like Coimbatore , Madurai ,
Tiruchi, Salem
Under
the scheme for providing free colour television sets to families 1,52,80,000
colour television sets have reached homes in the state making every day impact
in the lives of family members in those houses.
With
all these welfare measures in social sector directly impacting in the day to
day living of the people of all age groups and development projects and industrial
and agricultural progress raising their standards of living, it is but natural
that the people of Tamil Nadu are aware of and appreciative of the creditable
performance of the DMK government which is providing in Tamil Nadu, a model for
a perfect welfare state.
(26-12-10)
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