CM M. K. Stalin, inaugurated completed projects, laid foundation stones for new schemes, and distributed welfare assistance to beneficiaries in Thanjavur.

Several dignitaries were present at the Thanjavur district government function to support and participate in the programme, including:

• Hon’ble Ministers:
  Thiru K.N. Nehru,
  Thiru M.R.K. Panneerselvam,
  Thiru Sakkarapani,
  Thiru K. Selvaraj,
  Thiru Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi,
  Thiru Saminathan
• Members of Parliament:
  Thiru Thiruchi Siva,
  Thiru Kalyanasundaram,
  Thiru Murosoli,
  Selvi Sudha
• Special Representative to Delhi:
  Thiru A.K.S. Vijayan
• Members of the Legislative Assembly:
  Thiru Thamizhselvan,
  Thiru Anbazhagan,
  Thiru Neelakandan,
  Thiru Annadurai,
  Thiru Ashok Kumar
• Former Union Minister of State:
  Thiru Chelu Manickam
• Mayors of Municipal Corporations:
  Thiru N. Ramanathan,
  Thiru Periyanayagam,
  Thiru Imaiayaraja

Also in attendance were District Collector Tmt. Priyanka Pankajam, IAS, representatives of local bodies, senior government officials, welfare scheme beneficiaries, self-help group women, and members of the public and media.

The Hon’ble Chief Minister expressed his heartfelt greetings and said:

“I am immensely delighted to be part of today’s grand government celebration in Thanjavur. Being here in the land once ruled by the great King Raja Raja Chola fills me with pride. Just three days ago, I inaugurated the renovated Kattur Dam. Today, I have also opened the historic Kallanai Dam, originally constructed by King Karikala Chola.”

He further said:

“I am the first Chief Minister in history to open both the Kattur and Kallanai dams in the same tenure. The happiness shared by the people is proof of their connection to this land. To add to that joy, I am making a major announcement.”

The Chief Minister announced that from the year 2021-22, a Special Infrastructure Development Programme for Scheduled Areas is being implemented with an allocation of ₹276.84 crore over the past four years. This year too, ₹82.77 crore will be allocated for this initiative.

Furthermore, for non-Scheduled districts where large tribal populations reside, a Special Development Scheme for roads, bridges, and infrastructure will be implemented with ₹132.17 crore.

In Thanjavur district alone, around 56,000 beneficiaries will receive assistance through this scheme. Across 36 districts in Tamil Nadu, approximately 8 lakh people will benefit.

The Chief Minister extended his appreciation to Hon’ble Minister Thiru K. Selvaraj for excellently organising this first major government event after assuming charge as the Minister for Higher Education. He praised Selvaraj’s journey from student leader to becoming a strong and capable minister.

The Chief Minister also praised District Collector Tmt. Priyanka Pankajam IAS for her dedicated leadership and credited her hard work and inspiration drawn from her mother for her current success.

He then referred to Thanjavur as the cultural capital of Tamil Nadu, deeply intertwined with the legacy of Tamil leader Kalaignar Karunanidhi. From preserving heritage sites to voicing Tamil Nadu’s rightful share in the Cauvery water dispute, Kalaignar’s contribution was immense. The Chief Minister reminded the people that it was Kalaignar and the DMK movement that secured Tamil Nadu’s rights in the Cauvery water tribunal.

In this grand event, the Chief Minister:

• Inaugurated 2,461 completed projects worth ₹325.96 crore
• Laid foundation stones for 4,127 new works worth ₹309.48 crore
• Distributed welfare assistance worth ₹558.43 crore to 2,25,383 beneficiaries

He noted that nearly ₹1,000 crore worth of schemes were executed through this single event.

He concluded by highlighting a few major developments under the Dravidian Model of Governance in Thanjavur:

• At Orathanadu block, Nenjathikottai village, a high-capacity solar energy-powered drinking water project has been launched with an investment of ₹1.41 crore, capable of serving 5,000 households daily.
• A mini textile park announced in 2022 and constructed in 2024 at a cost of ₹70 crore was inaugurated in Thanjavur.

• In Keraavurani block, a Common Facility Centre for MSME units has been inaugurated at an estimated cost of ₹7.29 crore.
• The Kumbakonam–Mannargudi road project is 99% complete!
• The Kumbakonam–Sirkazhi road project is 98% complete!
• To ensure smooth movement of goods, a state-of-the-art warehouse with a capacity of one lakh metric tonnes is being constructed at an investment of ₹170 crore on 54 acres in Nadavur, Orathanadu block. Not a single moment should be wasted in the logistics chain.
• In Puthalur block’s villages such as Chengipetti and Ramaiyapatti (South), a SIPCOT industrial estate is being established on 256 acres. Similarly, in Rajamadam village of Pattukkottai block, another SIPCOT estate is coming up on 113 acres.
• A Marine Product Safety Centre is being set up in Makanara village of Pattukkottai block at an investment of ₹40 crore!
• An Advanced Cold Storage Unit has also been established at a cost of ₹53 crore!
• The Thirumeyachur ring road construction is fully completed and is ready for opening!
• In Eripurakkam and Keelathukattam Meenavar villages of Pattukkottai block, a fish landing centre and retaining wall are under construction at a cost of ₹32 crore.
• A new bus stand has been constructed in Pattukkottai at a cost of ₹20 crore and is ready for inauguration.
• In Pattukkottai and Keraavurani regions, an extensive survey identified traditional artisan families. Through their inclusion in the Traditional Artisans Welfare Board, over 12,000 families have been issued identity cards and are now receiving relevant welfare scheme benefits.

All of these schemes by our Dravidian Model government are reaching every family in the Tanjore region. That is why we are systematically implementing these development projects.

After I became the Chief Minister in 2021, I visited the Tanjore area in December and inspected the Saraswathi Mahal Library. Following this, the Tamil Nadu government began giving an annual grant of ₹75 lakh for the salaries of the staff at the historically significant Saraswathi Mahal Library.

At that time, Hon’ble Minister for School Education Anbil Mahesh Poyyamozhi asked what plans we had for Saraswathi Mahal. He presented some proposals to me, and the District Collector also shared a few thoughts. Based on these suggestions, I wish to make some announcements:

In the future, in addition to the current grant, the Tamil Nadu government will also provide financial support for staff pensions and building maintenance expenses.

To preserve the rare palm-leaf manuscripts maintained in the library, trained Tamil-speaking conservators will be appointed. The Tamil Nadu Skill Development Corporation will offer free training to those interested in this work.

Also, without altering the heritage architecture of the library, the Heritage Conservation Division of the Public Works Department will undertake a comprehensive restoration project at a cost of ₹12.5 crore.

This additional grant and restoration effort will ensure the preservation of invaluable manuscripts, printed records, and books held at the Saraswathi Mahal Library.

Along with this announcement, I wish to make three more:

First Announcement:
At the confluence of the Sennanaru and Chettaru rivers near Thanjavur–Serampur, a new barrage will be constructed at a cost of ₹42 crore.

Second Announcement:
From Ichchangudi to Chettikadu via Kallamani Canal, widening and strengthening works will be carried out at a cost of ₹40 crore.

Third Announcement:
In Puthalur block, the high-level canal extension and tanks will be renovated at a cost of ₹15 crore.

In our Dravidian Model government, we are implementing inclusive development schemes for every family in Tamil Nadu. These are not mere promises but results we have delivered.

In Thanjavur district alone, through various integrated schemes:

• Under the Kalaignar Women’s Rights Scheme, ₹1,000 per month is being given to 4.17 lakh women.
• Under the Pudhumai Penn Scheme, ₹1,000 per month is provided to 34,000 girl students.
• Under the Tamil Pudhalvan Scheme, ₹1,000 per month is being given to 13,000 students.
• Under the Chief Minister’s Breakfast Scheme, hot and nutritious meals are served daily to 62,000 students in government schools.
• Under the Kalaignar’s Model Village Scheme, 2.56 lakh workers have benefited.
• Under the Health Insurance Scheme, 2.5 lakh individuals have been covered.
• 7,000 families have received free electricity connections.
• Under the CM’s Comprehensive Health Scheme, 71,000 applications have been cleared.
• In Thanjavur district alone, 40,470 house site pattas have been distributed.

Across Tamil Nadu, 14 lakh 45 thousand petitions have been received.
I have come here after carefully examining each petition and understanding the problems behind them to formulate specific plans and implement targeted solutions. The joy I see on your faces assures me that this effort is meaningful! Your happiness is the measure of our success — and today, it is evident in the overwhelming response from you all.

On the other hand, the Leader of the Opposition, Mr. Edappadi Palaniswami, is constantly complaining. Unable to accept the public’s support for this initiative, he is engaging in baseless politics to divert attention from his own party’s internal and alliance issues. One must ask: is his criticism factual, organized, and based on truth? The answer is no.

Before coming to power, I ran the campaign “Stalin in your constituency.” At that time, petitions submitted by people were attached to a board and displayed — Mr. Palaniswami now asks what happened to those petitions. The government transparently shared details — through the media, on social media, and in every major newspaper the following day. Yet, he obstinately refuses to acknowledge it and keeps making irrelevant political statements.

Still, as your Chief Minister, I have a duty to speak the truth to you — because everything we do is for the people. That’s why I say this clearly:
Of the 4 lakh 57 thousand 645 petitions received during “Stalin in your constituency,” I directed that a special campaign titled “Chief Minister in your constituency” be launched, ensuring resolution within 100 days.

In these 100 days, we resolved:

• 32,000 requests for job appointments
• 30,000 for pensions
• 10,000 housing allotments under the Chief Minister’s housing scheme

And beyond that, under 20,000 petitions, we initiated development works worth Rs. 544 crores — including drinking water, sanitation, and other infrastructure, all based on the petitions. This trust inspired people to come forward and submit more petitions.

To ensure this continues smoothly, I launched the “Chief Minister’s Window” — a unique grievance redressal system to process all petitions and ensure responses within 30 days.

Following that, under the “Chief Minister with the People” scheme, special camps were held across constituencies. In January 2024, we also inaugurated the Chief Minister’s Assistance Centre in Coimbatore. It currently employs 200 staff members who track the status of each petition in real time. The entire process is monitored and reported to the public through the media to maintain transparency and efficiency.

However, the Opposition doesn’t seem to digest all this. They question if the petitions are being filed just for namesake. Clearly, their thoughts are stuck in the old ways of doing things. I urge them to look at recent developments — not ignore factual progress.

Let me give a specific example from the Dinamalar newspaper dated 13th:
The headline read: “Action within 30 minutes after submitting a petition to the Chief Minister!”
Let me explain briefly what happened. On the 11th, during an event to inaugurate a marriage hall in Kattur, two school students — Yazhsamali from class 9 and Anirudh from class 6 — met me and submitted a petition asking for a compound wall for their school.

What followed was remarkable. As reported in the Dinamalar, by 8:00 PM that night, I stopped my convoy, took their petition personally, assured action, and appreciated the children with a pat. Between 8:30 PM and 11:30 PM, senior officials from the Chief Education Department, Public Works, and Rural Development personally contacted the concerned school teacher and gathered all necessary details for implementation.

The Next Day at 7 AM in Kamala – At Nanganelli Union School

A team from the Tamil development group visited the school the next morning at 7 AM and conducted an inspection. They assessed the environment and sanitation facilities and prepared an estimate for constructing new toilets. As part of the Rural Development Mission, steps were initiated to build proper sanitation and toilet structures. Because action was taken quickly after a petition was submitted to the Chief Minister, the students and teachers of the school expressed great happiness. Both students and teachers appreciated the quick response after the request reached the Chief Minister. Dinamalar has reported this news.

This is a clear example of how the Dravidian Model government functions! And to take this initiative even further, I want to share a very important announcement…

From June 15, ‘Ungaludan Stalin’ (With You – Stalin) camps will be held across Tamil Nadu to resolve public grievances and serve the people better.

There will be 10,000 camps in total — 3,768 in urban areas and 6,232 in rural regions! Medical camps will be organized in all these camps. In urban camps, 43 schemes from 13 government departments will be offered. In rural areas, 46 schemes from 14 departments will be available for the public to benefit from.

One of the key highlights of this initiative is that women eligible for the Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thittam (Kalaignar Women’s Rights Scheme), who have not yet received their entitlements, can submit their applications at these camps. These applications will be processed and resolved within 45 days!

These camps will be held from June 15 to the end of October this year.

You might wonder how to apply for these schemes and services. You don’t need to worry — local volunteers will come to your doorstep, inform you about the ‘Ungaludan Stalin’ camps, and assist you with the application process. They will guide you through eligibility, documents required, and other formalities. All explanations and clarifications will be provided at your home.

This tireless effort to solve people’s problems both day and night is what makes the opposition panic! On one side, the Dravidian government works tirelessly — and on the other, the Union Government’s representative, the Governor, is blocking progress.

Here’s just one example:

We announced the establishment of a new state university in Thanjavur. Despite delays from the Centre, there was unanimous support in the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly — not just from DMK, but from all parties — that the new university should be named after Muthamizharignar Kalaignar (Dr. M. Karunanidhi).

Following this, we sent the proposal to the Governor for approval. But the Governor has still not given his consent. If he had approved it immediately, we would have already laid the foundation stone for the Kalaignar State University.

We sent the proposal on May 2. Now it’s been over 40 days, and still, no approval. Even after the Supreme Court’s verdict directing governors to act promptly, he has not changed his approach. The Higher Education Minister personally tried to meet and discuss with the Governor, but he avoided giving an appointment.

Why is one person holding up the higher education future of all students in the Thanjavur region? What could be more important than this for a Governor?

While our government works hard to overcome every obstacle and implement welfare schemes — even with limited funds and many hurdles — the Union Government continues to withhold funds and create roadblocks.

In my 50 years of political life, I’ve never seen such opposition or faced such targeted obstacles! But I, this Stalin, have broken through all those hurdles and stood firm with the people’s support.

Whether it is opposition parties, the Union Government, or the Governor himself — I have the courage and people’s backing to overcome all challenges. And I urge you all to continue supporting me just as you always have.

Even now, due to the Governor’s inaction, we have not been able to establish the Kalaignar State University. If the public rises and speaks out, the Governor will be compelled to act. I assure you with full confidence, during this grand event, that we will continue our good governance and always keep your welfare as our top priority.

Thank you.
Issued by: Director, Department of Information and Public Relations, Chennai-9