 "TN to invite tenders for power projects")
Replying to the debate on the motion of thanks on Governor K Rosaiah’s address to the Assembly on Friday, chief minister J Jayalalithaa said in view of the future power needs, the government would call for international bidding in March for the 660 Mw Ennore power plant expansion, 1,320 Mw project at Udangudi and 1,320 Mw at North Chennai Thermal Power project.
The 600 Mw North Chennai plant would go on stream in May, while the 600 Mw plant at Mettur and first phase of Vallur were expected to be commissioned in December, she said.
Of the 3,312 Mw planned, only 375 Mw was getting supplied, while the remaining 2,937 Mw will be available on the grid between June and December 2013.
Govt to submit drought memorandum
The Tamil Nadu government is planning to submit a drought memorandum to the Centre for funds.
Speaking in the Assembly, chief minister J Jayalalithaa said the government would declare 31 out of 32 districts as drought-hit due to monsoon failure and also submit a 'Drought Memorandum' to the central government for financial assistance.
She also announced various schemes totaling Rs 2,143.60 crore for the benefit of farmers in the Cauvery delta region where crops have failed due to non-release of water by Karnataka.
The schemes have been designed based on the report submitted by the State High Level Committee, which was headed by finance minister O Panneerselvam.
Jayalalithaa said the government would waive the land tax in all the 31 districts barring Chennai and reschedule the loans taken by farmers from the cooperative banks.