Udhayanidhi Stalin Lauds Kalaignar Scheme as Dravidian Model's Crowning Achievement
Deputy Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Udhayanidhi Stalin, has emphatically declared the Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thogai as the crowning jewel among all welfare initiatives launched by the Dravidian model government. Speaking at a government function in Tenkasi district, he highlighted that Chief Minister M K Stalin has successfully distributed Rs5,000 to 1.31 crore families, effectively overcoming attempts to obstruct the scheme's implementation.
Monthly Entitlements and Broader Welfare Initiatives
Udhayanidhi Stalin detailed that for the past three years, the government has been providing a monthly entitlement of Rs1,000 to 1.31 crore women, with 3.30 lakh beneficiaries hailing specifically from Tenkasi district. He elaborated on several other key schemes under the Dravidian model:
- Magalir Vidiyal Payanam
- Chief Minister's Breakfast Scheme
- Pudhumai Penn
- Summer Special Fund, which allocates Rs2,000 to 38 lakh widows, senior citizens, and differently-abled individuals
He assured that the Chief Minister plans to introduce more such welfare programs under the upcoming Dravidian model of government 2.0, urging continued public support for the DMK administration.
Major Infrastructure Projects in Tenkasi District
The Deputy Chief Minister outlined significant development projects underway in Tenkasi district, emphasizing the government's commitment to regional growth:
- Establishment of Sipcot with an investment of Rs300 crore
- Conversion of the Alangulam-Tenkasi two-lane road into a four-lane highway at a cost of Rs255 crore
- Construction of a four-lane road between Tirunelveli and Alangulam for Rs65 crore
- Development of a new sports ground with funding of Rs15 crore
Inaugurations and Foundation Stone Ceremonies
During the event, Udhayanidhi Stalin inaugurated 32 completed projects worth a total of Rs6.01 crore in the district. These included:
- 30 projects valued at Rs5.34 crore under the Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department
- A Rs22 lakh project under the Town Panchayats Department
- Another project worth Rs45 lakh under the Health Department
He also laid foundation stones for 185 new projects with a cumulative worth of Rs55.93 crore, encompassing:
- 180 projects costing Rs42.62 crore under the Rural Development Department
- Two projects under the Town Panchayats Department
- One new project for Rs2.35 crore on behalf of the Municipal Administration and Water Supply Department
- Two new projects valued at Rs5.69 crore under the Public Works Department
Additionally, welfare scheme assistance totaling Rs44.05 crore was distributed to 7,127 beneficiaries.
Further Developments in Tirunelveli and Kanyakumari Districts
In Valliyur, Tirunelveli district, Udhayanidhi Stalin inaugurated the newly constructed Government District Headquarters Hospital, built at a cost of Rs30 crore. Later, at the Kanyakumari District Collectorate, he presided over another government function where he distributed welfare assistance worth Rs72.64 crore to 7,601 beneficiaries.
He also laid foundation stones for 131 new infrastructure projects worth Rs18.38 crore, including road and water works across village and town panchayats, and inaugurated a tribal youth training centre established by the Forest Department.
