Tamil Nadu chief minister C Joseph Vijay on Saturday announced a slew of welfare measures for ex-servicemen and freedom fighters, including higher marriage assistance, pensions and financial aid, while pledging a corruption-free administration.
Stressing that the government has been implementing welfare schemes that benefit the public, he said the government was refining and continuing the Amma Unavagam introduced by late AIADMK supremo J Jayalalithaa when she was the chief minister. The chief minister also appealed to officials and the people of Tamil Nadu to ensure the state remains corruption-free. That is why I say: the people are the real rulers here. Me and everyone here, as well as over there (MLAs and government officials) are merely servants of the people. That is how I view it.”
The chief minister announced that, considering the welfare of ex-servicemen who served selflessly for the motherland, marriage assistance for their two daughters will be increased from ₹ 25,000 to ₹ 50,000. Appealing to the people to firmly stand by his government, he said, “The Chief Minister post represents 8 crore people.
Unfurling the Tricolour at Fort St George to mark the 80th Independence Day celebrations here, Vijay said, “we are operating as a transparent, truthful and honest administration. “Guided by the foundational principle of “all are born equal” (Pirappokkum ella uyirukum), we are operating as a transparent, truthful, and honest administration to build a Tamil Nadu free of bribery, corruption, and substance abuse, anchored in women’s safety and social justice,” he said. “We are also expanding the breakfast scheme from Class 6 to Class 8 which will be launched on September 15,” he said. Emphasising that his government has transformed government offices and police stations into public service centres, he said, “when citizens approach government offices seeking solutions to their grievances or assistance under welfare schemes, government officers must treat them with utmost dignity and kindness.
