Stone laid for Hogenakkal water supply scheme
MAJOR PROJECTS: Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi inaugurating the Hogenakkal Water Supply Scheme and Fluorosis Mitigation Programme in Dharmapuri on Tuesday. Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi has assured that the government will ensure establishment of industries in places other than Chennai and its suburbs. After laying the foundation stone for the Rs. 1,330-crore Hogenakkal Water Supply Scheme and Fluorosis Mitigation Programme and a slew of other development projects here on Tuesday, the Chief Minister said the government had signed a memorandum of understanding with over 12 companies for setting up industrial units that would generate 20 lakh new jobs in Tamil Nadu in two years' time. Stating that a few parties were criticising the welfare schemes, Mr. Karunanidhi said the DMK government would continue to implement schemes for the development of the poor, middle class and the oppressed. The Centre had appreciated the schemes being implemented by the State. Appreciating Local Administration Minister M.K. Stalin and officials for successfully negotiating with the Japan Bank for International Cooperation for getting funds for the Hogenakkal scheme, he said the government had fulfilled a long-pending dream of the people of Dharmapuri and Krishnagiri. The Chief Minister promised that he would continue to carry out development schemes. Referring to the Pattali Makkal Katchi president G.K. Mani's observation that his party would support good schemes, Mr. Karunanidhi said he would not give opportunity for anyone to criticise his government since it was doing only good service to the people. Mr. Stalin promised rewards for officials if the scheme was completed before the deadline. New posts New posts would be created for expediting the implementation of the scheme, which would ensure supply of safe drinking water to about 30 lakh people in 6,755 habitations in three municipalities, 17 town panchayats and 19 panchayat unions in the fluoride-affected Dharmapuri and Krishnagiri districts. Ministers Durai Murugan, Veerapandi S. Arumugam, Arcot N. Veeraswami, K. Ponmudy, K.N. Nehru and I. Periyasamy, Chief Secretary L.K. Tripathy, Municipal Administration and Water Supply Secretary K. Deenabandu, Tamil Nadu Water Supply and Drainage Board Managing Director Swaran Singh, Collectors P. Amudha (Dharmapuri) and Santhosh Babu (Krishnagiri) spoke.