CHENNAI: Information Minister Kadambur Raju on Monday announced that Valluvar Kottam in Nungambakkam, the memorial for sage Tiruvalluvar, would be completely renovated at an estimated cost of Rs 85 lakh. Replying to the discussion on the demands for grants for his department in the Assembly, the minister said the financial assistance for families of journalists who die in harness would be hiked from the current financial year.
The assistance would vary depending on the years of their service. At present, the assistance for the scribes who die in harness varies from Rs 50,000 to Rs two lakh. This would go up to the amount ranging from Rs 75,000 to Rs three lakh.
The families of journalists, who had served for five years, would get Rs 75,000. The kin of those who served from 10 years would get Rs 1.50 lakh. For 15 years of service, Rs 2.25 lakh would be given and for 20 years, Rs three lakh would be granted, the minister said.