TN Assembly commences first session of New Year; Governor dwells much on Tamil refugees, IDPs

The first session of the Tamil Nadu Assembly for the year 2010 commenced today with the customary address of Governor Surjit Singh Barnala. The opening day of the session witnessed a mix of things--a slew of announcements from Governor Surjit Singh Barnala and walkout by the main opposition the AIADMK and its ally the MDMK.

Governor Surjit Singh Barnala in his customary address urged the Centre to impress upon its Sri Lankan counterpart to find a permanent political solution to the Lankan Tamils issue and restore their full rights and protection lost during the civil war.

He said the political solution should be found at the earliest and that it should be to the satisfaction of Sri Lankan Tamils.

The Governor said more than one lakh Sri Lankan Tamil, displaced by civil war and accommodated in relief camps, could return to their original places of residence, thanks to the tireless efforts of Chief Minister M Karunanidhi.

Mr Barnala said it was a matter of some solace that the Sri Lankan Government had assured that the remaining people in the camps would also be allowed to settle in their original places by the end of this month and provided with necessary rehabiliation.

Mr Barnala also thanked the Centre for announcing a relief package of Rs 1,000 crore for the rehabilitation of Sri Lankan Tamils on return to their places of residence.

Govt. to bear education expenses if no graduate in the family

The Governor said the government would bear education expenses of students admitted to government or private professional colleges through the single window system, if there are no graduates in their family so far; the government will bear all expenses related to their education without taking into account the students' financial status and community. Students getting admissions through single window system in government or private engineering, medical, dental, veterinary, agriculture and law colleges will benefit through the scheme, he added.

Mr. Barnala also said the paddy procurement price will be increased by Rs 50 per quintal. 'The government will replace 21 lakh mud houses in rural areas with permanent structures under the Kalaignar Housing Scheme. Three lakh houses will be constructed under the scheme in 2010-11 at a total cost of Rs 1,800 crore,' he said.

The Governor said Rs 1,559 crore had been disbursed for farm loans so far, and the government would continue to repay to banks loan amounts borrowed by farmers. The metro rail project in Chennai that had already been started, would be completed at a cost of Rs 14,600 crore. Barnala said 40 lakh more colour television sets would be distributed in the year ahead.

Adi Dravidar enptrepreneurs’ loan waiver

Mr. Barnala said following a request from the Adi Dravidar entrepreneurs to waive off the loans procured from the Tamil Nadu Adi Dravidar Housing and Development Corporation (TAHDCO), the Government accepted their plea and decided to waive the loans availed by the Adi Dravidar enptrepreneurs for non-farm sector activities amounting to Rs 83 crore, being the overdue principal and interest as on March 31, 2009.

Governor Surjit Singh Barnala said this would benefit 53,524 Adi Dravidar entrepreneurs.

He also urged the Centre to allot sufficient funds to excelling States like Tamilnadu. The Governor said no Bill affecting the livelihood of fishermen would be implemented by the Union government. On the Mullaperiyar issue, he said the rights of the State would be protected by statutory ways.

Stating that the ceiling to own government poramboke lands had been reduced from five years to three years, the Governor said 90 acres of land had been allotted to build houses for cine technicians.

33 per cent quota for women

The Tamil Nadu Government today urged the Centre to enact the Women's Reservation Bill, providing 33 per cent quota for women in Parliament and State Legislatures, without any further delay.

Mr. Barnala said the Parliamentary Committee's recommendation that the law for providing 33 per cent quota for women should be enacted immediately was a matter of great happiness and it came as a ray of hope in the dark sky.

''We urge that this Bill is enacted without any further delay,'' the Governor said, adding, the DMK Government was committed to giving women their due recognition and position in the society.

Stating that the Government had always supported women in playing their rightful role in the development of the society, Mr. Barnala said the DMK Government, during its earlier regime, had provided equal property rights and gave 33 per cent reservation for women in employment and local bodies.

Main Oppisition walk-out

The main Opposition AIADMK and its ally, the MDMK, today staged a walk out from the Tamil Nadu Assembly just as Governor Surjit Singh Barnala was about to deliver his customary address.

AIADMK members led by Deputy Leader of Opposition O Panneerselvam read out a statement and walked out of the Assembly. Led by Panneerselvam and Party Whip K A Sengottaiyan they shouted slogans, accusing the ruling DMK of failing on various fronts.
They alleged that the government had failed to protect the interests of the state on the Mullaperiyar dam issue with Kerala, among others.

They also blamed DMK government for 'failing to control the rising prices and not taking steps to protect Indian fishermen from attacks by Sri Lankan Navy' before staging the walkout. The MDMK also followed suit.

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- Asian Tribune -