CHENNAI: Reiterating that welfare schemes for all sections had been the hallmark of the five-year AIADMK government in Tamil Nadu, the Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa on Sunday opened development works done for `180.41 crore and laid the foundation for `193.26 crore works.
Old age pension for 707 beneficiaries, house allotment order for 1,036 families, admission letters for 63 students in polytechnics and smart cards for Amma Mineral Water to 800 families were issued at the function. Of these, the Chief Minister presented directly to 14 beneficiaries and the rest were distributed by the government officials.
Moved by the affectionate reception by the people of RK Nagar constituency all along her way to the function venue, the Chief Minister said "Elderly people, youth, children and everyone were waiting along the roadside braving a scorching sun to receive me. I won't forget this constituency because the people here elected me to the Assembly and made me the Chief Minister. The people of RK Nagar constituency are etched in my heart forever."
Recalling the welfare schemes by her government for the past five years, the Chief Minister said when she assumed office, there was power cut for many hours in the State. "Now, my government has ensured uninterrupted power supply in Tamil Nadu. Law and order is being maintained and people are living in peace. Many industries have come up and new jobs have been created," she added.
Every section of society, including farmers, fishermen, weavers, workers, government staff, teachers, students, youth, women, elderly persons and differently abled, had been covered by the welfare schemes. Particularly the poor and downtrodden had benefited from these schemes.
The AIADMK government had been serving the people selflessly, she said and recalled the long list of Amma-brand welfare schemes of her government.
Kasimedu fishing harbour was upgraded for `92.63 crore, railway overbridge built across Kathivakkam High Road-Cochrane Basin Road (`16.66 cr), seven Amma Mineral water centres, two more small buses, 556 multistoried tenements of the Tamil Nadu Slum Clearance Board (`23.27 cr) in Powerkuppam area.
Also 480 new houses at Aranganathapuram (`40.71 cr), 412 additional class rooms for Chennai Middle School at Karanesan Nagar in Korukkupet (`1.18 cr), renovated park at Rettaikuzhi Street, Tondiarpet (`13.8 lakh), digital x-ray equipment (`74.65 lakh) bought for Tondiarpet government hospital, new revenue division with Tondiarpet as its headquarters and new building for Tondiarpet taluk office were among facilities opened by the Chief Minister in RK Nagar.
A hostel for 100 students of backward classes at Tondiarpet, 24 police residential quarters at New Washermenpet, Amma pharmacy and Farm Fresh outlet were to be set up at Jeevarathinam Road in Tondiarpet, two-way bridge across North Buckingham canal, rail overbridge at Manali, community hall at Kummalamman Koil Street, approach road and flood checking structure at Captain Cotton Canal, and joint canals were among the works for which the Chief Minister laid the foundation.