Expanding welfare schemes ahead of a crucial Assembly election, it was announced on Friday that one lakh housing units would be constructed under the Dravidian Model government’s flagship programme ‘Kalaignar Kanavu Illam Thittam’ at a cost of ?3,500 crore. This was one of five major announcements, which was greeted with loud applause from the treasury benches.

In addition to the construction of two lakh houses over the last two fiscal years, the government will build one lakh houses in the coming fiscal year. The housing initiative is part of a broader plan to construct eight lakh houses with the objective of achieving a hut-free Tamil Nadu by 2030.

The government also announced the upgradation of 2,200 km of rural roads at a cost of ?1,088 crore under the Village Road Development Scheme to strengthen the rural economy. Under this scheme, the quality of 20,484 km of rural roads has already been improved at a cost of ?8,911 crore.

Addressing grievances of temporary teachers, it was stated that they would be given priority during recruitment to fill vacant permanent teacher posts in government schools. A government order in this regard will be issued shortly and will be implemented from February 4.

The government will also enhance monthly pensions from ?2,000 to ?3,400 for noon-meal organisers, anganwadi workers, and village panchayat secretaries. Additionally, retirement benefits will be doubled from ?1 lakh to ?2 lakh.

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