Deccan Chronicle 12.01.2010

Rs 1,800 cr water scheme for Vellore

Jan. 11: Deputy chief minister M.K. Stalin on Monday said that a combined drinking water scheme with the Cauvery as its water source would be implemented in Vellore at a cost of Rs 1,800 crore.

Replying to a debate on the motion to thank the Governor for his Assembly address, Mr Stalin said that the scheme would benefit six corporations, five town panchayats and 64 villages in Vellore district. “We are looking for funds to expedite the project,” he added.

Mr Stalin said that work on the Hogenakkal drinking water project would start in March and it would be completed by 2012. Efforts will be taken to complete it ahead of schedule (December 2012), he said.

Mr Stalin also said that the move to temporarily recruit retired staff of the state government would not affect the prospects of the unemployed youth. “Since the DMK came to power in 2006, we have provided jobs to 3.44 lakh youth. We will ensure that no youth will be affected by the G.O.,” he said.

Referring to Opposition leader J. Jayalalithaa’s charge that the Governor’s address was nothing but a recycled version of earlier speeches, Mr Stalin wondered whether the announcement of building 21 lakh concrete houses and waiving of fishermen’s loans were recycled ones.