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Getting down to the business of governance in the state where elections are due next year, after being sworn in on Saturday, Jayalalithaa cleared a slew of welfare schemes worth Rs 1,800 crore, including those for improving road and drinking water facilities and extending assistance to indigent families headed by women.
Jayalalithaa, who arrived at the state secretariat at Fort St George for the first time after being out of power for eight months, signed five files approving the schemes.
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"Chief Minister Jayalalithaa has ordered improvement of roads in urban local bodies at a cost of Rs 1,000 crore," a state government release said.
The All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) Chief also opened 201 more Amma Canteens, providing food at subsidised rates, across the state through video-conferencing.
Under Rs 800-crore 'Tamil Nadu Rural Roads Development Scheme', 3,500 km will be taken up for development this financial.
"The chief minister has given consent for a special housing scheme for the poor in town panchayat areas," it said.
An assistance of Rs 2.10 lakh each will be given in a staggered manner to the poor to convert their thatched houses into concrete roofed structures, with solar power.