Vanakkam. I take great pleasure in addressing you at the commencement of the seventh session of the Thirteenth Legislative Assembly in 2008. I convey my hearty new year greetings to all of you.

2. This Government, headed by the Hon’ble Chief Minister Kalaignar M.Karunanidhi, considers the promotion of welfare of the people of Tamil Nadu as its foremost duty. Within one and half years of assuming office, fulfilling its promises, this Government continues to rise up to the expectations of the people. You are well aware of the fact that all policies and programmes of this Government are formulated and implemented only with the object of promoting the uplift of the poor, destitutes, Adi-dravidars, Backward Classes, Most Backward Classes, Minorities and the disabled. I am proud of the tireless efforts taken by this Government to lead the State on the path of progress, adopting equity and social justice as its guiding vision.

3. Compared to the other states in the country, Tamil Nadu remains a peaceful state. This Government has been maintaining continuous vigil against any extremist activity. Efforts to spread extremism into Tamil Nadu from the neighbouring states have been successfully thwarted. The Government has also taken strict action against mercenary criminal gangs. This Government is of the firm conviction that equitable growth and elimination of poverty are the lasting solutions to extremism as well as caste conflicts.

4. This Government has always striven to realise federalism in its true spirit, as expounded by Arignar Anna’s philosophy of State autonomy. In fact, even in 1969, when the Hon’ble Kalaignar assumed office as the Chief Minister for the first time, a Committee to study and give its recommendation on Centre-State relations was constituted under the Chairmanship of Justice Rajamannar, with Dr.Lakhmanaswami Mudaliar and Justice Chandra Reddy as members and its report was obtained. This Government is happy to note that the Union Government has constituted a Commission on Centre – State relations, headed by Justice Madan Mohan Punchhi, former Chief Justice of India. We hope this Commission will make necessary recommendations paving the way for a truly federal governance in our country while at the same time preserving the unity and integrity of the nation.

5. Recommendations of successive Finance Commissions have not been favourable to Tamil Nadu. They have penalised performing States like Tamil Nadu, by repeatedly reducing their share in the devolution. We hope that the recently constituted 13th Finance Commission will correct this imbalance and provide adequate devolution, having regard to the exemplary performance of this State and its genuine development needs.

6 All of us are well aware of the strains in the inter-state relations due to inter-state river water disputes. Our nation has an established constitutional and legal framework for resolution of such disputes. Hence, in the interest of harmony among the States, this Government would urge that all such disputes are resolved through the existing laws of the land and all States honour and abide by the decisions of the competent authorities.

7. Linking our country’s rivers is the only permanent solution to the problem of inter-state river water disputes. This Government has been repeatedly urging the Union Government for the expeditious implementation of this project and for taking up the inter-linking of the peninsular rivers in the first phase. However, no consensus has been arrived at among the states. It is for this reason that the Government of Tamil Nadu has requested the Union Government to provide financial assistance at least for the scheme of inter-linking of rivers within the State during the Eleventh Plan period. In so far as Tamil Nadu is concerned, without any further loss of time, this Government will expeditiously take up the preliminary works for this project. Further, this Government will set up a committee of experts to explore the possibility of preventing the surplus surface water draining wastefully into the sea during the monsoons and using this water to recharge the underground aquifers, benefiting drought prone areas. A major scheme will be implemented in the water deficit areas of our State from the ensuing financial year, for storing the unutilised water in rivers, rivulets and streams by means of check-dams and utilising it round the year for drinking water and agriculture.

8. The Sethusamudram project, the longstanding dream of the Tamil people, has been studied since 1860 even during the British rule and found feasible by engineering stalwarts and considered desirable by scholars and eminent men. This project has the potential to contribute to the strength and development of our country by expanding international and maritime trade relations. This Government urges the Union Government not to go back from its endeavour to transform the future of the people of Tamil Nadu to one of progress and prosperity and to continue the implementation of this unique and constructive project, without paying heed to the untenable and contradictory arguments now raised by a few for political gains.

9. The heavy rain and floods witnessed by the State during the last month not only led to loss of lives but have also caused widespread damage to public properties like roads, tanks and buildings, and affected crops in several parts of the State. It is estimated that these damages are to the tune of Rs.1,510 crores. The Hon’ble Chief Minister and other Hon’ble Ministers have personally visited the affected areas and supervised the relief operations. This Government has allotted Rs.200 crores to undertake immediate flood relief works in these areas. A detailed memorandum regarding the flood damage has been submitted to the Union Government seeking financial assistance. The Central team deputed by the Union Government has visited the affected districts and assessed the flood damage. We urge the Union Government to immediately provide the required financial assistance to the State, based on the report of this team, so that comprehensive restoration works can be taken up in the affected areas.

10. By more than doubling the Tenth Plan outlay of Rs.40,000 crores, the State’s outlay for the Eleventh plan has been approved for Rs.85,344 crores. During the Eleventh Plan period, developmental programmes will be implemented with the objectives of reviving the farm sector and ensuring social justice.

11 There is a need to entrust additional responsibilities and provide adequate powers to rural and urban local bodies in the State, to enable them to fulfill the needs of the public and to expeditiously implement development programmes. The High Level Committee under the Chairmanship of Hon’ble Minister for Rural Development and Local Administration, constituted to make recommendations to the Government regarding additional powers and functions to the Local bodies, has submitted its report. The recommendation of this Committee will be examined and an Action Taken Report would be laid in this House during the ensuing Budget Session.

12. Thanks to the sustained efforts taken by this Government, the Union Government has not only accorded the status of classical language to Tamil but also is establishing a Central Institute of Classical Tamil at Chennai. By enacting a legislation making Tamil compulsory in schools in the State, this Government has ensured that all students will learn Tamil. This Government will leave no stone unturned for making Tamil one of the official languages of the Union Government and a language of transaction in the Madras High Court.

13. You are aware of this Government providing rice at a price of only Rs.2/- per kg.,
the lowest amongst all States in the country, in pursuance of its objective that all people must have access to good quality rice at a low price. In addition, with a view to containing prices of other essential commodities used by the public, like cooking oil and dhal, they are being provided through the fair price shops from last year. The fact that the prices of food commodities in our State have been contained by this measure is a major achievement of this Government.

14. This Government has been taking determined action to increase the income of farmers from agriculture and allied activities. This will be possible only by enhancing farm productivity and with supplemental income generation through animal husbandry and fisheries. The programmes of the Public Works, Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Fisheries Departments are being implemented in an integrated manner under the World Bank aided IAMWARM Project. By waiving cooperative farm loans, farmers in Tamil Nadu have been enabled to access fresh crop loans. With a view to ensuring a good price to paddy farmers commensurate with the increased cost of production, this Government has provided an additional incentive of Rs.50, over and above the incentive of Rs.100 announced by the Union Government, thus increasing the procurement price of fine variety of paddy to Rs.825 per quintal.

15. The National Agriculture Development Programme, launched by the Government of India, will be implemented in this financial year with an allocation of Rs.185 crores. Under this programme, precision farming is being extended to all districts in the State. Agriculture department has been restructured so that the field officers at the block level are able to carry out extension activities and serve farmers more effectively. Horticulture and Micro irrigation programmes have been accorded priority and are implemented vigorously.

16. Under the scheme for reclaiming waste lands and distributing them free to poor landless agricultural families, one lakh thirty eight thousand poor farmers have been provided with one lakh sixty one thousand acres of land, free of cost so far. In addition, the Government had fixed a target of providing Three lakh free house site pattas to the landless poor and has granted Three lakh pattas. This Government has also further relaxed the minimum number of years one must have resided in houses on government lands to be eligible for house site pattas, from ten years to five years and has also removed the income limit, thereby facilitating all those persons residing for more than five years in Government lands to benefit from the scheme.

17. Some difficulties arose in power supply recently, mainly due to shortfall in power supplied by the Central Power Stations. Neyveli Lignite Corporation was not able to supply the committed quantum of power due to shortage of lignite. Similarly, Kalpakkam and Kaiga Nuclear Power Stations have not been able to produce power at the rated capacity due to inadequate fuel. Government of Tamil Nadu has urged the concerned authorities to take immediate measures to improve the supply from Central Power Stations. Co-generation units will be established in all co-operative and public sector sugar mills in the State at a cost of Rs.925 crores, so as to generate 185 MW of power. They will be operational within 18 months. The Government has also taken several measures to increase the generation capacity of Tamil Nadu Electricity Board (TNEB). TNEB is in the process of establishing additional Thermal Power Stations in North Chennai, Mettur and Thoothukudi. In addition, accepting the request of the Hon’ble Chief Minister, the Union Government has been providing additional power to Tamil Nadu from the central pool.

18. After having successfully achieved universal primary education in our State, this Government will set Universal Secondary Education as the new goal so that every child will complete 10 years of schooling. We are happy to note that the Union Government has launched a new scheme for this purpose in the Eleventh Plan and this Government will extend its full support for its success.

19. It was during the previous tenure of the DMK government that computer education was introduced for the first time in Government Higher Secondary Schools in the year 1999-2000. During the past one and half years, 1,880 Government Higher Secondary Schools and 1,525 High Schools have been provided with computers. In the coming financial year, computers will be provided to the remaining 100 Government Higher Secondary Schools and 606 Government High schools. Further, the Government will provide computers to 6,650 middle schools of the Government and Local bodies during the Eleventh Plan period. In addition, the Government will implement a scheme for providing computers as reward to 1,000 top ranking Tamil medium students in the X^th standard public examination.

20. The Government of Tamil Nadu has requested the Government of India to establish an Indian Institute of Management at Coimbatore,
an Indian Institute of Technology at Madurai and an Indian Institute of Science Education and Research at Trichy. The Government of Tamil Nadu has also requested the Union Government to establish a Central University in Tamil Nadu having regard to the fact that Tamil Nadu does not have any Central University at present. The Hon’ble Chief Minister has also met the Hon’ble Union Minister for Human Resources Development in this regard who has responded positively to the request of the Chief Minister. This Central University will be established in Tiruvarur district.

21. It is only the Government Health Care Institutions, the common man can have access to. Hence, this Government has been taking all necessary steps to make them adequately staffed and well equipped. In the last two years, this Government has filled 2,167 vacant posts of doctors and 2,341 vacant posts of nurses. In addition, 468 new posts of doctors and 1,059 new posts of nurses have been created and are being filled up. Three nurses have been provided in each of the 1,000 Primary Health Centres in the State on 24 hour basis, thereby ensuring round the clock availability of maternal health services to rural women. Apart from this, under the Tamil Nadu Health Systems Project funded by the World Bank with an outlay of Rs.597 crores, this Government is executing various works to upgrade the infrastructure of all taluk and district hospitals in the State. It is a matter of great satisfaction that due to the various initiatives of this Government, deliveries in Government institutions have gone up with a fall in the number of deliveries in private hospitals. Under the Varumun Kappom Thittam, 4,872 Health Camps have been conducted so far, benefiting about 51 lakh persons.

22. After this Government assumed charge, 12 Memoranda of Understanding have been signed with major companies like Motorola, Dell Computers, Samsung and Renault-Nissan for investments in the State to the tune of Rs.15,083 crores. Of them, four companies have already started their operations. These industries will create direct and indirect employment to 1,37,140 persons.

23. The new Industrial Policy announced by this Government recently, with a package of incentives for investors, has been widely welcomed by them. Thanks to this policy, about 20 lakh new employment opportunities will be generated in Tamil Nadu during the next four years.

24. Hyundai is in the process of expanding its existing production capacity to produce 6,30,000 cars annually, with an investment of Rs.4,000 crores. In addition, Ford has proposed to expand its present production facility to produce an additional two lakh cars per year with an investment of Rs.1,800 crores. The fact that these two existing car manufacturers in Tamil Nadu have again chosen to further expand their operations in our State itself, bears testimony to the success of the industrial policy of this Government.

25. As stated in the last Budget Speech, a shipyard will be established in Ennore near Chennai by Larsen and Toubro with an investment of Rs.3,068 crores. This will provide employment to about 10,000 persons. Preliminary works for the construction of another shipyard in Cuddalore district are underway.

26. Recognising the contribution of small industries in generating employment, this Government has decided to encourage small industries through various incentives. This package of incentives will be unveiled in the form of a Small Industries Policy shortly. This policy will provide special incentives to Agro Processing Industries. About 10 lakh persons will get employment from the large number of new small industrial units that are likely to be established due to this initiative.

27. As promised in the DMK election manifesto, the Government has been implementing the scheme for providing free colour televisions to all families who do not have them. As of now, 24,58,411 television sets have been distributed. In the third phase of this scheme, orders have been issued for procuring thirty four lakh and twenty five thousand colour televisions. The process by which these colour televisions have been procured in a transparent manner through a global tender, after obtaining the approval of a committee consisting of representatives of legislative parties and distributed without any discrimination to poor families in all parts of the State through committees consisting of peoples’ representatives has earned the appreciation from all quarters. We will continue to implement the scheme and will very soon achieve the distinction of Tamil Nadu being the only State in the country with colour televisions in all houses.

28. Chennai Metropolitan area is continuing to grow at a fast pace and its transportation issues require quick and lasting solutions. Recognising this important issue, this Government is in the process of implementing the Chennai Metro Rail Project at an estimated cost of Rs.9,757 crores. The Detailed Project Report for this project, prepared by Delhi Metro Rail Corporation, has been sent to the Government of India for getting financial assistance from Japan Bank for International Co-operation (JBIC).
The preliminary works for this project are currently underway.

29. In order to improve connectivity to the Chennai Port, an elevated express highway from Maduravoyal to Chennai Port at a cost of Rs.1,468 crores has been approved by Government of India and preliminary works are underway. With a view to reducing the traffic congestion in the city, this Government has decided to construct a circular high speed transportation corridor connecting the important roads in the city, as available in many cities abroad. A feasibility study is being undertaken for this project.

30. Tamil Nadu is the most urbanised state in the country. Therefore, improving basic infrastructure like roads and drinking water facilities in urban areas is vital for improving the living standards of a large section of the population in the State. To achieve this objective, various works being currently executed under Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission and Tamil Nadu Urban Development Project at an unprecedented outlay of Rs.6,700 crores, will be expedited.