106. This Government had doubled the monthly assistance given to the elderly, destitute widows and deserted wives from Rs.200 to Rs.400. In view of the implementation of the Centrally Sponsored Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme in the State, all senior citizens below the poverty line are being granted old age pension of Rs.400 per month. 9.77 lakh old aged persons will benefit under the scheme. In addition, 6.2 lakh destitute widows and deserted wives are receiving Rs.400 per month as pension. I would like to point out that on account of these welfare benefits, the old age / widow pension expenditure which was Rs.299 crores in 2005-2006 has increased to Rs.830 crores in the Budget Estimates for 2008-2009.

107. The Government had increased the monthly pension for the disabled from Rs.200 to Rs.400 and from Rs.200 to Rs.500 in the case of severely disabled persons. As a result, 86,000 disabled persons have benefited. Under the Tsunami Rehabilitation Programme, a sum of Rs.34.63 crores has been given as grant to 34,632 disabled persons at the rate of Rs.10,000 per person enabling them to pursue income generating activities. The Government has created a separate welfare board for the disabled after enacting legislation to this effect and is distributing various benefits through it. As the plight of persons affected with Muscular Dystrophy is similar to that of disabled persons, they will also be provided with monthly assistance of Rs.500 as in the case of other disabled persons, from the ensuing financial year.

108. With the objective of facilitating the education of visually challenged persons, this Government has doubled the scholarship given to them. A special sanction of 200 posts of teachers has been earmarked for visually challenged young graduates. In addition to the 10 districts where Early Intervention Centres for the hearing impaired have been established during 2006-2007 these centres will be established in the remaining 21 districts through NGOs.

109. This Government had sanctioned monthly assistance to severely mentally retarded persons who are unable to take care of themselves without any ceiling on the number of beneficiaries. As a result, additional 20,000 mentally retarded persons have benefited and 30,000 mentally retarded persons are receiving Rs.500 per month as maintenance allowance. In addition to starting Early Intervention Centres in every district through NGOs, seven adult homes for the mentally retarded with vocational training facilities have also been started. Apart from these, financial assistance is being given to NGOs for operating special schools for them.

110. Viewing transgenders with compassion as in the case of disabled persons, this Government has been providing a helping hand to them by establishing a separate welfare board for them and issuing them family cards. Transgenders will be given vocational training and will be facilitated to take up vocation either individually or as Self Help Groups. In addition, as per the new Small Industries Policy, special incentives have been provided for industries started by transgenders. This Government will extend financial assistance to establish a transit home for transgenders in transition through NGOs.

111. The Hon’ble Chief Minister holds the Narikkuravas in high esteem and used to call them ‘Nerikkuravas’ meaning men of honour and principles and with a view to helping them abandon their nomadic lifestyle and settle down in one place, he had opened 140 houses for them in Devarayaneri in Thiruverumbur block in Trichy district on 13.3.1975. However, even today, Narikkuravas are continuing to lead a nomadic life and as a result, the fruits of many welfare programmes of the Government are eluding them. A separate welfare board will be created for Narikkuravas to provide them education, alternative livelihood and various other welfare benefits.

112. The scheme of free distribution of dhoties and sarees to poor people on the occasion of the pongal festival will be continued in the coming year also in order to provide regular employment to handloom weavers. An amount of Rs.256 crores has been allocated in this Budget for the same. Interest subsidy granted to handloom weavers co-operative societies has been stopped since 2003. Interest subsidy will be revived with 4% subsidy thereby reducing the interest on the loans availed by handloom weavers co-operative societies from
12 percent to 8 percent from the coming financial year. The Government will be incurring an additional annual expenditure of Rs.12 crores on account of this concession. In addition, loans to the tune of Rs.15 crores taken from HUDCO under the House cum Workshed Scheme by weavers who are presently not in a position to repay, will be waived.

113. The Handloom Weavers Health Insurance Scheme is being implemented in Tamil Nadu with central assistance. As per the revised guidelines of this scheme, in addition to the contribution by the Union and State Governments, the weavers are also expected to contribute Rs.50 as their share of the premium. The Government has decided to bear the weavers’ share of the premium also in order to help the poor weavers. As a result, three lakh weavers who have been enrolled under this scheme will benefit.

114. This Government had enhanced the old age pension given to elderly weavers from Rs.200 to Rs.400. The Government is also implementing the free power supply scheme for handloom and power loom weavers. A sum of Rs. 67 crores is provided as subsidy to Tamil Nadu Electricity Board for this purpose in this Budget. With a view of benefiting the three lakh power loom weavers in the State, a separate welfare board, as in the case of the handloom weavers, will be established for them and various welfare benefits will be provided through it.

115. This Government is determined to remove the difficulties faced by fishermen when they go to deep sea for fishing. The Government is implementing the scheme of providing financial assistance to the families of those fishermen who have gone for fishing and found missing. Tsunami affected fishermen are being provided with 33,700 heavy duty bi-cycles, 60,000 life jackets and 4,000 rechargeable lamps. In addition, under the Tsunami Rehabilitation Programme, works are being carried out for the improvement of various fishing harbours and fish landing centres in the State. The Union Government has sanctioned a fishing harbour at Colachel at a cost of Rs.27 crores. The works will commence in the next financial year.

116. Fishermen of our State will be able to get higher income only if they adopt modern practices in fishing and processing of their catch without wastage. With a view to providing technical assistance and training to our fisher folk for taking up activities like marine cage culture and crab culture by fishermen and sea-weed farming and adoption of proper fish processing techniques by women, a modern Fishing Technology Training Centre will be established. Major corporates like the Tata Group, who have already rendered outstanding service in tsunami relief operations, have come forward without any profit motive to assist in this endeavour as yet another manifestation of their corporate social responsibility. This Government will establish this special training centre with such assistance. An amount of Rs.1 crore has been included in this Budget as initial assistance.

117. 3,53,488 youth have benefited under the scheme for providing monthly assistance to the unemployed youth. In the coming year, Rs.95 crores is allocated for this scheme. The Government is taking necessary steps to enhance the skills of the unemployed youth so that they are able to benefit from the large number of employment opportunities which are opening up in our State. The scheme of skill development for youth being implemented with a provision of Rs.8 crores in the last Budget will continue to be implemented in the coming financial year as well.

118. With a view to ensuring the social security of unorganised labourers, this Government has revived the various welfare boards which had been abolished earlier, and is implementing various social security and welfare schemes through them. Welfare benefits to the tune of Rs.62 crores has been disbursed to 2,47,000 beneficiaries through these welfare boards so far.

120. This Government has established a separate welfare board for the welfare of Palm workers and is providing various welfare benefits to them through it. In order to enable palm artisans to carry out their vocation even better, palm artisans will be given financial assistance of Rs.4,000 each for the purchase of tools. A sum of Rs.1.5 crores is provided in this Budget for the same. In addition, the Neera Catering Unit at Palayamkottai will be provided neera chilling plant and other equipments.

121. A separate welfare board has been formed for handicraft workers and various welfare benefits are being given through it. 10,000 artisans in our State will be provided with life and health insurance under the Rajiv Gandhi Artisans Health and Life Insurance Scheme, launched by the Union Government.

122. This Government is committed to the welfare of Ex-Servicemen who rendered the great service of defending the nation’s borders. 9,871 Ex-Servicemen have been provided employment in various departments and PSUs through  Tamil Nadu Ex-Servicemen Corporation (TEXCO). The solatium provided to the families of soldiers who lay their lives during internal security operations, will be increased from Rs.one lakh to Rs.5 lakhs from the coming financial year. Also, the compensation presently provided to injured soldiers ranging from Rs.10,000 to Rs.40,000 as per the severity of the injury, will be enhanced to the range of Rs.50,000 to Rs.2 lakhs.

123. With a view to enabling small traders to avail loans up to Rs.5000 for carrying to carry on their trade, this Government has restructured the Small Trade Loan Scheme. Under this scheme, which has received very good response among the poor hawkers and women engaged in small trading, credit cards will be provided in the coming financial year. In addition, with a view to benefiting even more small traders, they will be organized into SHGs and two lakh such small traders will be given loans to the tune of Rs. 50 crores through co-operative banks.

124. This Government is implementing several scheme for the socio-economic development and raising the living standards of Adi Dravidar and Tribal people. In the last two years since this Government assumed charge, Rs.25 crores is being allocated annually as the Special State Assistance and this entire amount is being utilized only for training programmes for the educated Adi Dravidar youth. A sum of Rs.25 crores has been allocated for this scheme in the coming financial year also. Under this scheme, a special training programme will be formulated for coaching graduate Adi Dravidar youth to succeed in the various national level post graduate entrance examinations. As was done in the case of farm loans from co-operative banks, farm loans to the tune of Rs. 5.5 crores availed by Adi Dravidar farmers from TAHDCO will also be waived.

125. An amount of Rs.154 crores has been allocated for scholarships to Adi Dravidar and Tribal students in order to ensure their education progress. Presently 1,241 Adi Dravidar Welfare Hostels are being run by the Government. In the coming financial year, 25 new hostels will be opened in order to benefit more Adi Dravidar students who want to avail the hostel facility for their education. Apart from this, new buildings will be constructed for 25 hostels which are presently functioning in rented buildings at a cost of Rs. 12.5 crores. Also, 8 Adi Dravidar middle schools and 3 residential tribal middle schools will be upgraded as high schools at a cost of Rs.3.68 crores.

126. This Government is committed to provide adequate burial ground and pathway leading to it in every Adi Dravidar habitation in the State. The scheme for this purpose will be implemented vigorously and the necessary land for the burial ground and the pathway will be arranged either through land acquisition or private negotiation.

127. With a view to eradicating the abhorrent practice of manual scavenging and rehabilitating those who were engaged in this profession, this Government has been implementing rehabilitation schemes for manual scavengers to the tune of Rs.56 crores. Having regard to the fact that the persons engaged in sanitary work belong to the lowest strata of the society, this Government has established a separate welfare board for them and is providing various welfare benefits to them. Deeply concerned with their welfare, this Government will provide protective gear to those who are engaged in clearing the blockage in sewer lines. Also, special machinery will be used so as to avoid the need for these workers working inside these sewer pipelines. Sanitary and sewer workers will be provided with health insurance and annual medical check up free of cost.

128. Having regard to the fact that Arundhatiars are at the lowest rung of socio-economic and educational status, it is felt necessary to provide them special concessions. Accordingly, with a view to considering the possibility of providing special reservation for them within the quota of reservation for Arundhatiars, this Government had convened an all party meeting on 12.3.2008. It was resolved in this meeting to provide for special reservation for Arundhatiars within the quota of reservation for Adi Dravidars and to constitute an One Man Committee headed by Justice Thiru M.S. Janardhanam, retired High Court Judge to enquire comprehensively and recommend to the Government after consulting, if necessary, the commission constituted based on the decision of the Union Cabinet, the list of communities coming under Arundhatiars and the percentage of reservation based on the population of Arundhatiars. After obtaining the report of the Committee within six months, the Government would take necessary action to opertionalise the same.

129. In the interest of development of Adi Dravidar and Tribal communities, separate allocations are made for them in the divisible plan schemes of the Government under the Special Component Plans for Adi Dravidars and Tribals. The size of the Special Component Plan, which was Rs.567 crores during 2005-2006, has increased to Rs.1,085 crores during 2006-2007 and to Rs.1,544 crores during 2007-2008. I am happy to inform that the allocation under the Special Component Plan will be Rs.2,312 crores during 2008-2009.

130. Students belonging to Backward Classes, Most Backward Classes, Denotified, Adi Dravidar and Tribal communities stay in school and college hostels operated by the Government for their education. The monthly food allowance, which was not increased from the year 2001 in the case of school students and from the year 1998 in the case of college students, was increased to Rs.400 and Rs.500 respectively by this Government during last year. Taking into consideration the demands for a further increase of this allowance, it has been decided to effect another increase by Rs.50, thus making it Rs.450 in the case of school hostels and Rs.550 in the case of college hostels. This will be given effect from the coming academic year.

131. In the year 2000, the then DMK Government had enhanced the annual income ceiling for students from Backward Classes, Most Backward Classes and Denotified Communities for availing scholarships from Rs.25,000 to Rs.50,000. Having regard to the fact that the income of the people has increased over the years and with a view to enabling more students to benefit from the scheme, the annual income limit will be increased from Rs.50,000 to Rs.1 lakh. Similarly, the annual income ceiling in respect of Adi Dravidar and Tribal students availing State Government scholarship will also be enhanced from Rs. 50,000 to Rs.1 lakh.

132. With a view to providing employment opportunities to youth belonging to Backward Classes, Most Backward Classes and Denotified Communities, the Government had allocated Rs.10 crores for skill development training and 10,000 youth are being trained. This scheme will be continued in the ensuing financial year also. The scheme launched by this Government for enabling students from Backward Classes, Most Backward Classes and Denotified Communities who have secured high ranks in the tenth standard public examination to study in reputed schools of their choice, will also be continued.

133. A sum of Rs. 112 crores has been allocated in this Budget for scholarships in schools and colleges for students from poor families belonging to Backward Classes, Most Backward Classes and Denotified Communities. At present, 65,402 students belonging to these communities are studying and staying in 1,181 Government hostels meant for them. Having regard to their needs, in the coming financial year, new buildings will be constructed for 25 hostels which are presently functioning in private buildings, at a cost of Rs.12.5 crores. In addition, with a view to benefiting more students who want to avail hostel facility for their education, 25 new hostels will be opened.

134. Recognising the fact that special attention is required for the progress of minorities who are socio-economically backward, the Government has created a separate Directorate for their welfare. The Government has also given 3.5% reservation each to Muslims and Christians who are in the list of Backward Classes and has also enacted a legislation for this purpose. This Government will do the needful to sort out the difficulties which have arisen in operationalising the reservation for Backward Muslims.

135. With a view to making the youth and women from minority communities qualify for jobs in the public and private sectors and also for self employment, this Government has started skill development training programmes for them since last year. A sum of Rs.2.5 crores was provided for this scheme which has benefited 5000 persons from minority communities. This scheme will be continued in the next financial year also. In addition, in the coming financial year, Rs.40 crores will be disbursed as loans through Tamil Nadu Minorities Economic Welfare Corporation benefiting 25,000 persons from minority communities. The scheme of giving scholarships to minority students pursuing professional courses will be implemented at a cost of Rs.2 crores.

136. This Government had doubled the cash doles given to Sri Lankan Tamil refugees. The facilities in the refugee camps will also be improved. Deeply concerned with the plight of the Sri Lankan Tamils, who for many years have been unable to live in their homeland, this Government would like an amicable political solution to this long standing problem. We would also like to point out that the power and responsibility to fulfill this desire vest only with the Union Government.

137. Three eggs a week are being provided to children in the age group of 2-15 in schools and Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) Centres. Children in the age group of 1 to 2 are also being given one egg per week in ICDS centres. 70 lakh children are benefited under this scheme. A sum of Rs.176 crores is allocated in this Budget for the provision of eggs to children.

138. With the multiple objectives of eliminating malnutrition among children; addressing the nutritional and health status of pregnant women and adolescent girls, Integrated Child Development Scheme is implemented in our State in an excellent manner. With a view to expanding the coverage of ICDS to all habitations and habitations where there is a high concentration of Adi Dravidars, Tribals and Minorities, this Government has established 1,539 child centres and 3,168 child mini-centres. A total sum of Rs.782 crores has been allocated for this scheme in the coming financial year.

139. In our State, 59 lakh children are benefited from the Nutritious Meal Programme (NMP) every year. This Government has increased the entitlement per child in respect of vegetables and other provisions. With a view to protecting employees of Nutritious Meal Centres and children attending these centres from the adverse health affects caused due to smoke, this Government has taken up the programme for modernisation of NMP Centres since 2006-2007. Under this scheme, gas connection with stove and pressure cookers are being provided to 1,500 NMP centres and 3,940 child centres at a cost of Rs.582 lakhs. In the coming financial year, another 350 Nutritious Meal Programme Centres and 2,000 child centres will be modernised at a cost of Rs.224 lakhs. A sum of Rs.820 crores is allocated for this scheme in this Budget.

140. In order to facilitate heart surgery for children from poor families requiring it without any delay, the Young Children Heart Surgery Scheme is being implemented by this Government in partnership with private hospitals. Under this scheme, the Government provides grants-in-aid up to Rs.70,000 to private hospitals. So far, 17 reputed hospitals have been selected and 110 children have been provided assistance for heart surgery.

141. This Government has enacted the landmark legislation making Tamil a compulsory subject in all schools in the State. The fact that this legislation was upheld by the Supreme Court is a matter of satisfaction for all of us. Sustained efforts are being made to declare Tamil as one of the official languages of the Union and to make it a language of transaction in the Madras High Court. Recently, in a letter dated 25.2.2008, addressed to the Union Minister for Law and Justice, the Hon’ble Chief Minister had urged the Union Government to expedite action in this regard.

142. Thanks to the tireless efforts of our Hon’ble Chief Minister, the Union Government has not only declared Tamil as a classical language, but has also agreed to set up a Central Institute of Classical Tamil at Chennai at a cost of Rs.76 crores. This institution will function under the chairmanship of the Hon’ble Chief Minister. The landmark legislation brought by the Hon’ble Chief Minister to make the 1^st day of the month of Thai the Tamil New Year day, has been welcomed by all Tamil scholars with great joy.

143. With a view to ensuring that the views and thoughts of great Tamil Savants who dedicated their lives to the Tamil language, benefit not only the present but future generations also, the Tamil Nadu Government is implementing the scheme of nationalisation of books of Tamil scholars. The books of 67 Tamil Scholars have been nationalised by the State Government so far. Out of these, the works 59 scholars have been nationalised by the DMK Government. More specifically, during this period after assuming charge, works of 37 Tamil scholars including that of Parithimar Kalaignar, Pulavar Kuzhanthai and Muthamizh Kavalar K.A.P. have been nationalised and solatium of Rupees Three crores and nine lakhs has been given to their legal heirs. In this year, the works of Tamil Scholars like Kavignar Periyasamy Thooran, Professor Ka.Vellai Varananar, Panditar Ka.Ayothidasar, Abraham Panditar, Sathavathani Seikuthampi Pavalar, Dr.Ra.Pi.Sethupillai, Mahavidwan Ra.Raghava Iyengar, Udumalai Narayana Kavi, Ku.Mu.Annal Thango, Avvai Ti.Ka.Shanmugam, Vindhan, La.Sa. Ramamirtham, Vallikannan, Na.Vanamamalai, Kavignar Pudhuvai Sivam, A.Raghavan, Tho.Mu.Ci.Raghunathan, Saktidasan Subramanian, Dr.Na.Sanjivi, Mullai Muthaiyya, Kavignar S.T. Sundaram, Kavignar Meera, Professor A.Karmegha Konar, Pulavar Mohammad Nainar Marakkayar, Su.Samuthiram, Kovai Ilancheran and Professor Na.Subbureddiar will be nationalised and solatium will be given to their legal heirs having regard to the number of books written by them, their social impact and their literary value.

145.  Considering the huge inflow of tourists to Tamil Nadu, this Government will pay special attention to develop the infrastructure in tourist destinations and improve the roads leading to them. For the first time, separate financial allocation has been provided in this Budget for improving the roads leading to major tourist spots. This will be utilized to improve roads leading to important tourist centres at an estimated cost of Rs.25 crores.

146. The Arasu Cable TV Corporation has been formed to function as a Multi System Operator which will receive programme signals from various television channels and transmit these programmes to the various local cable TV operators. A global tender has been invited for purchasing necessary equipments for this purpose. This Corporation will soon start functioning after procuring the necessary equipments.

147. As promised by the Hon’ble Chief Minister in the Conference of Cable TV operators held at the Centenary Hall of Madras University on 12.9.2007, an advisory body consisting of their representatives have been formed. Accepting the request made by cable TV operators in this conference, cable TV will be exempt from payment of entertainment tax with effect from 1.4.2008. In addition, the entertainment tax arrears to the tune of Rs.16 crores outstanding as on 31.3.2008 will also be waived. Further, with a view to promoting the welfare of Cable TV operators, a separate welfare board will be created for them.

148. During recent times, television has become very popular among the masses. With a view to providing medical assistance to those working in this field, a welfare fund for television artists will be set up. The Government will provide Rs.one crore to this fund for grant of assistance to them.

149. The Tamil Nadu Afforestation Programme is being implemented at a cost of Rs.567 crores with the financial assistance from Japan bank for International Co-operation. Under this project, afforestation programmes will be taken up in 51,500 hectares of land at a cost of Rs.113 crores in the coming financial year. Also 1,000 check dams and 300 percolation ponds will be constructed throughout the State under this programme in the coming financial year. With a view to benefiting people who live in villages adjacent to forests, for the first time, a separate allocation of Rs. 3 crores has been made in this Budget for the improvement of forest roads.

150. The scheme for growing trees in private lands, introduced by this Government last year with a view to increasing the green cover of the state, has received good response from the farmers. In the coming year also, Rs.10 crores is allocated for this scheme and one crore saplings will be planted in about 25,000 acres of land. This Government will continue to extend its full support and co-operation to NGOs like Isha Foundation which have taken up the planting of tree saplings as a people’s movement for environmental protection in the State.

Environmental Protection

151. Environmental pollution has emerged as a global threat. With a view to sensitizing the children, who are the citizens of tomorrow, about this problem, Environment-clubs will be started in over 5,000 government and government aided High schools and Higher Secondary schools in the State. In addition, in order to spread awareness about environmental protection among the general public, Government will release short films and advertisements through newspapers and television. Today, climate change has also emerged as a very vital issue. With a view to spreading awareness and encouraging research on climate change in the State, an one time grant of Rupees One crore will be provided to the Climate Change Research Centre at Anna University.

Welfare of Journalists

152. The monthly pension given to indigent retired journalists who had worked for a minimum of 20 years had been increased from Rs.3,000 to Rs.4,000. In addition, family pension granted to families of journalists has been increased from Rs.1,500 to Rs.2,000 and financial assistance is provided to families of journalists by relaxing the rules of the Journalists Family Assistance Fund. As announced in the last

Budget Speech, a Journalists Welfare Fund has been created with a corpus of Rupees One crore. The interest from the deposits of this Fund will be uitlised to provide financial assistance for the treatment of journalists affected by critical illness.