Ensure Dravidian model govt continues for more development: Udhaya

Madurai: Deputy chief minister Udhayanidhi Stalin has said the people of Tamil Nadu, who have seen the development of the state under chief minister M K Stalin, should ensure the continuation of the Dravidian model of govt to continue to benefit from schemes for their development and welfare. the Dravidian model of govt under M K Stalin has taken Tamil Nadu to a leading position in the country with 11.90% GDP growth. He inaugurated and announced several projects for Tirunelveli district at an event at Palayamkottai govt medical college grounds on Thursday evening.Earlier in the morning, Udhayanidhi inaugurated and inspected Madurai Olympic Academy at district sports complex and interacted with the sportspersons there. The academy comprises a kabaddi court, six table tennis courts, three upgraded synthetic-surface tennis courts, and basketball courts, constructed at Rs 6 crore. It also features an indoor sports arena with 250 seats, and separate changing rooms for men and women. A new gymnasium with modern facilities was also set up, and the existing open air basketball court converted into a synthetic-surface court. The existing three open air tennis courts have been converted into new synthetic-surface tennis courts.In his address in Tirunelveli, Udhayanidhi said that soon after assuming office in 2021, the chief minister prioritised women's empowerment by signing welfare schemes and programmes. "Education remains a core pillar of this vision, highlighted by the breakfast scheme for 32 lakh schoolchildren and Pudhumai Penn scheme, which offers financial incentives to school girls pursuing higher education," he said. The govt bolstered student resources by distributing 10 lakh laptops and facilitated economic independence for women by providing Rs1.20 lakh crore in bank loan linkages for self-help group, he said. More such welfare schemes are planned under Dravidian govt 2.0, he said.Investments planned in Tirunelveli district include a Rs606 crore combined drinking water project serving six unions, and another Rs 424 crore project for Kalakkad municipality and neighbouring town panchayats. "Urban and cultural growth is being supported through construction of a bus stand costing Rs85 crore, the Rs50 crore Western Bypass Road, and Rs98 crore Kanyamigu Quaid-e-Milleth Library," he said. He also mentioned the Rs72 crore expansion of Nellai Govt Medical College and Rs56 crore Porunai museum.Udhayanidhi later inaugurated four completed projects worth Rs3.30 crore and laid foundation stones for three projects worth Rs57 crore. They included a Rs40 crore project to widen canals and improve the Kanjiparai dam, a Rs16.25 crore extension of the groyne in Kooduthalai fishing village, and a Rs75 lakh volleyball court in Panagudi. The event concluded with the distribution of welfare assistance totalling Rs 109.01 crore to 18,830 beneficiaries across departments.