TN Guv lauds Jaya's "astute leadership" during floods

Stoutly defending the state's handling of the flood situation which snowballed into a major political issue, Tamil Nadu Governor K Rosaiah today praised the astute leadership of Chief Minister Jayalalithaa, who helped in restoring normalcy in the flood-hit areas.
In his customary address to Tamil Nadu assembly, the Governor summed up the overall progress made by the AIADMK government in various spheres in the last four and a half years.
"Under the astute leadership of the Chief Minister, the state machinery brought back normalcy to the flood affected areas in a very short span of time," he said.
Opposition parties, including the DMK, DMDK and Left parties had strongly criticised the government over its handling of the flood situation and opening of surplus waters from Chembarambakkam Reservoir here.

On the opening day of the House's first session after the deluge, the Governor detailed the torrential rains and its effects like damages to crops, livestock and infrastructure. He said the able leadership of Jayalalaithaa minimised the loss of human lives.
"The state government acted swiftly and co-ordination teams comprising ministers and senior officials were deployed. Massive rescue and relief operations were carried out on a war footing," he said.

It was a "commendable achievement" of the Health department that there was no outbreak of any epidemic disease, he said.
"While wholeheartedly appreciating the state for the exemplary work in restoring normalcy after the deluge, I place on record my appreciation for the spontaneous response from the public, youth and institutions."

The Governor also referred to the comprehensive relief package being implemented by the state for the flood hit including farmers.
Noting that a supplementary memorandum estimating the requirements for financial assistance to the tune of Rs 17,432 crore was presented to the Centre, he urged the Union government to immediately sanction the same.
As part of the Vision 2023 initiative, Rosaiah noted that "of the 217 identified projects, implementation of 84 projects are rapidly progressing and others are at various stages of preparation."
Under the State Balanced Growth Fund to address regional imbalances in socio-economic development, so far, 445 projects have been approved at an outlay of Rs 230 crore, he said.

(Reopens MDS9)
Referring to a slew of welfare measures and market
inventions by the state government, Rosaiah said schemes including farm fresh consumer outlets, Amma Marundhagams (pharmacies), Amma Unavagams (low-cost chain of eateries), Amma Drinking wter, Amma Salt, Amma Cement etc were "landmark initiatives to serve the poor that have earned accolades."
'Amma Unavagam' envisioned by Chief Minister Jayalalithaa is being considered a model worthy of emulation by other states, he said.
On electricity, he said, "Due to concerted efforts of the Chief Minister, Tamil Nadu has now become power surplus."
It was done by augmenting power supply through various initiatives like completing long pending power projects and finalising long term and medium term Power Purchase Agreements, he said.

Stating that the government has given topmost priority to agriculture, the Governor noted "This has resulted in record food grain production of more than 100 lakh tonnes thrice in the last four years, surpassing the previous best of 82.64 lakh tonnes during 2006-07 and 2010-11.
He said the government supplemented small and marginal farmers' income through free distribution of milch cows, sheep and goats. Over two crore families are provided free rice and commodities like dal, and edible oil at subsidies prises.
Rosaiah appreciated Jayalalithaa's "relentless efforts" to secure the rights of Tamil Nadu in inter-state river water disputes and pointed to the Supreme Court verdict allowing increasing the water level to 142 feet in Mullai Periyar dam and notification of the final order of Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal (CWDT) in the Central gazette.

"This government urges the Centre to constitute the Cauvery Management Board and the Cauvery Water Regulation Committee without any delay for the effective implementation of the final order of the CWDT," he said.
He also reiterated the state's appeal to the Centre seeking interlinking Peninsular rivers, Mahanadhi, Godavari, Krishna, Pennar, Palar, Cauvery, Vaigai and Gundar. He insisted that the Pamba-Achankovil-Vaippar link work may be expedited.
The Governor's address today was his fifth consecutive speech, that also happens to be the concluding session of the fourteenth (2011-16) legislative assembly.