Chennai: People in Tamil Nadu woke up to full-page advertisements in newspapers about the achievements of Chief Minister J.Jayalalithaa-led AIADMK government during its first 100 days of rule.
Writing off the outstanding crop loans given by cooperative banks to over 1.69 million farmers; free power to households (first 100 units) and to handloom weavers (200 units), 750 units to powerloom weavers; and closure of 500 liquor shops and reduction of working hours of liquor outlets are some of the welfare measures of the government listed out in the advertisement.
The government also listed out in the advertisement the dedication of the first 1,000 MW nuclear power plant at Kudankulam as one of the many achievements.
The other achievements mentioned are the extension of Chennai Metro Rail Phase-I at an outlay of Rs37.7 billion; increase in freedom fighters monthly pension to Rs12,000, family pension and special pension increased to Rs6,000.
The government has allocated Rs8.9 billion for providing free laptops to students and Rs1.82 billion for providing goats and milch cows free of cost to the poor.
The May 2016 assembly elections in Tamil Nadu that returned the AIADMK to power has many firsts in the history.
For instance, the ruling party was retaining power for the first since 1984.
Jayalalithaa, the AIADMK general secretary, became the first chief minister to get elected for a second successive term.
It was the first time that the AIADMK contested in 227 constituencies — the highest number ever.
With its allies contesting under AIADMK’s ‘Two Leaves’ symbol, it was the first time in the party’s history to have fought an election under its symbol in all 234 seats.
Jayalalithaa was sworn in for her sixth term on May 23 this year.
The party has 133 members (including the Speaker) in the assembly.
