Tamil Nadu chief minister Jayalalithaa has done precisely what was expected of her, erasing the footprints of arch rival Karunanidhi from popular schemes by replacing them with her own programmes. Jayalalithaa has also drawn up a long-term growth plan, pledging to prepare a Vision 2025 document, which will have the prescription for inclusive development of the state.
While the rural housing and health insurance schemes ? pet projects of Karunanidhi ? were axed, a probe was initiated to dig into the alleged irregularities around the construction of the Rs 1,020-crore Assembly complex. She also favoured a mono-rail project, as Karunanidhi was seen as the champion of the ongiong Rs 14,600 crore metro rail project.
?The rural housing scheme implemented by the previous government is fraught with many shortcomings. The unit cost of Rs 75,000 provided per house is grossly inadequate, as the cost of construction has gone up by two to three times. This has forced many of these poor families into a debt trap. Construction of a large number of houses is yet to be commenced for the same reason. Therefore, this government has decided to discontinue the scheme and it will launch a solar powered green house scheme for the benefit of the poor in the rural areas and construct houses measuring about 300 sq ft with a unit cost of Rs 1.80 lakh, the entire cost to be met by the government,? says the governor?s speech.
The government has also decided on a new scheme to achieve universal healthcare by terminating the existing health insurance scheme, which the chief minister thinks is not comprehensive and effective. It may be recalled that the DMK government?s scheme was named after Karunanidhi itself. Deviating from the usual practice of giving prominence to tried and tested sectors, the government had decided to focus on emerging sectors like bio-technology, nano-technology and pharmaceuticals. There is a separate policy for promotion of renewable energy on cards, apart from initiatives on making the state power-surplus. Jayalalithaa has already convened meetings of the ministries concerned and TNEB to review the power situation and take remedial measures. She plans a special urban development mission for the development of basic amenities in corporations, municipalities and town panchayats.