“Hogenakkal project as per schedule”

Deputy Chief Minister inaugurated 1088 projects at a cost of Rs.36.10 crore

He gave Rs.50.43-crore revolving fund and loans to 3065 women SHGs

KRISHNAGIRI: Deputy Chief Minister Stalin announced here on Sunday that the Hogenakkal Drinking Water Project would start in March next year as per schedule. Out of the five package global tenders, four have been finalised and another one would be finalised soon. Selection of contractors through global tendering process would be finalised well ahead of March. Works will start in March 2010 and will be completed before the end of 2012.

Refuting charges of Opposition parties on the Hogenakkal Project, he recalled the assurance of Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi on the floor of the Assembly that even if the government couldn’t get funds from Japan’s financial agencies, it would implement the project from its own funds.

He assured the people of Krishnagiri and Dharmapuri that the Hogenakkal project would be implemented with the same vigour, as in the case of the Ramanathapuram Integrated Drinking Water Project.

Mr.Stalin inaugurated the 146th samathuvapuram in Sakkilnatham village near Bargur in the presence of K.N. Nehru, Transport Minister.

He said that the Chief Minister announced the establishment of 95 samathuvapurams to mark the 95 years of living of his mentor E.V. Periyar and 29 were planned during 2008-2009. Of this, 18 were inaugurated so far and the rest would be opened in another one-and-half months. During 2009-2010, another 30 and during 2010-2011 another 36 samathuvapurams would be established, he added.

The Deputy Chief Minister inaugurated 1088 projects at a cost of Rs.36.10 crore, laid foundation stones for 311 works to the tune of Rs.48.38 crore and gave away welfare assistance to 18,905 persons to the tune of Rs.61.96 crore.

He gave Rs.50.43-crore revolving fund and loans to 3065 women SHGs at the function.

Earlier, he inaugurated the new premises for the District Police Office at a cost of Rs.3.25 crore near the Collectorate and a multipurpose indoor stadium and a swimming pool in the District Sports Stadium complex to tune of Rs.1.80 crore.

After inaugurating the stadium, Mr. Stalin played badminton with Collector V. K. Shanmugham.

K.P. Jain, Director General of Police, K. Radhakrishnan, Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order), Promod Kumar, Inspector General of Police (Western Region), E.G. Sugavanam, Krishnagiri M.P. and M.L.A.s T. Senguttuvan, K.R.K. Narasimhan, P. Dillibabu participated.

P. Prabhakar, District Revenue Officer, welcomed the gathering. Saraswathi Ganesan, Project Officer, Mahalir Thittam, proposed a vote of thanks.