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Makkalai Thedi Aaivaga Sevai scheme launched

• State health minister Ma Subramanian launched the ‘Makkalai Thedi Aaivaga Sevai’ scheme at Thollavilai Primary Health Centre in Nagercoil.
• The scheme would support the ‘Makkalai Thedi Maruthuvam’ (Doorstep Healthcare Scheme) scheme by bringing the facilities of diagnostic labs to the public.

‘KaniTamil 24’ conference

• International Tamil Computing Conference 2024 (KaniTamil 24) was inaugurated at Nandambakkam Trade Centre, Chennai.
• Tamil is one of the oldest languages of the world and a language full of characteristics to adapt itself to the changing times and is aimed at strengthening the place of Tamil languages in this growing age of Technology.

Road accidents see an upward trend in TN

• According to the data from the State Crime Records Bureau (SCRB) a total of 18,074 persons died in 66,841 road accidents reported in 2023 in Tamil Nadu.
• In terms of the total number of accidents in 2023,
  • Chennai and Coimbatore cities are at the top with 3,642 accidents each.
  • Chengalpattu followed with 3,387 accidents.

T.N. notifies land pooling scheme rules

• The Tamil Nadu government has recently notified the Tamil Nadu Land Pooling Area Development Scheme Rules, 2024.
• Tamil Nadu Land Pooling Area Development Scheme provides for pooling together land owned by individual or individuals and developing it by the appropriate planning authority.

Pudhumai Penn Thittam

• The Governor’s policy address which was written by the Tamil Nadu government highlights that 2.73 lakh girl students are benefiting every month under the Pudhumai Penn scheme in in 2023-24.
• As a result of this initiative there has been an increase of 34 percent in the enrolment of girl students from government schools into colleges during 2023-24.
• The scheme aims to provide a monthly cash assistance of `1,000 to all girl students pursuing higher education, who have completed their studies in government-run schools from Class 6 to 12.

Two Resolutions passed

• The Tamil Nadu Assembly unanimously adopted two resolutions against the ‘One nation, One Election’ proposal and the proposed delimitation after 2026.
• Reasons for the resolution include,
• ‘One Nation, One Election’ policy is impractical, and goes against the fundamentals of the Constitution
• The delimitation proposed after 2026 would reduce the representation of the southern States, especially Tamil Nadu

T.N. increases allocation for meals under ICDS by `41 cr

• The Tamil Nadu government increased the financial allocation by `41.14 crore a year for providing meals to children aged 2 to 6, under the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS).
• The additional expenditure would benefit over11.50 lakh children.

Illam Thedi Kalvi scheme

• TN government allocated `100 crore for the ‘Illam Thedi Kalvi’ scheme run by the School Education Department.
• The additional funds have been allocated towards orientation, learning materials and incentivisation of volunteers for the scheme.
• The scheme was introduced in 2021 which is aimed at bridging learning gaps or losses the children would have experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Kalaignar Sports Kit scheme

• Sports Development and Youth Welfare Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin announced that the State government will launch an initiative called the ‘Kalaignar Sports Kit’ in Tiruchi on February 7.
• Under the initiative, the sports equipment will be distributed in 12,000 village panchayats to mark former Chief Minister M.Karunanidhi’s birth centenary.The Tamil Nadu Panchayats (Amendment) Bill, 2023
• The Tamil Nadu Assembly recently adopted the Tamil Nadu Panchayats (Amendment) Bill, 2023 recently.
• The Bill aims to further amend the Tamil Nadu Panchayats Act, 1994, for fixing the tenure of the State Election Commissioner to “five/six year or sixty-five years of age, whichever is earlier, without any provision for extension

”First Mini-TIDEL Park

• TN Chief Minister M.K. Stalin inaugurated Tamil Nadu’s First Mini-TIDEL Park in Villupuram.
• It covers an area of 63,000 square feet on a five-acre land parcel at Thiruchitrambalam inVanur taluk.
• Mini-TIDEL Parks are being established in Tier II and Tier III towns like Thanjavur, Salem, Thoothukudi, Vellore, Karaikudi, Namakkal, Tiruppur, and Udhagamandalam.

Maghizhchi Programme

• Maghizhchi Programme was launched recently by the Director General of Police Shankar Jiwal in Madurai.
• It is a mental well-being programme for police personnel and their families.
• The programme aims at providing treatment to police personnel who were addicted to alcohol and suffered from mental depression.

Sale of cotton candy banned

• Sale of cotton candy banned in Tamil Nadu after samples reveal presence of industrial dye
• Rhodamine-B.
• It was found that Rhodamine-B was used as a colouring agent in cotton candies.

Tamil Nadu State Policy for Women 2024

• Chief Minister M.K. Stalin unveiled the Tamil Nadu State Policy for Women 2024 recently.
• Vision - To ensure social justice for all and provide women access to their rightful entitlements.

Objective

• To establish a gender sensitive education system and reduce the dropout rate among girls.

• To improve health and nutrition status of adolescent girls and women.

• To increasing their participation in the workplace.

• To promote digital literacy to bridge the digital gender gap.

• To support women for remunerative placements.

• To encourage participation of women in politics.

• A high-level women empowerment committee headed by the Chief Secretary shall meet once in six months to review the implementation of the policy.

• The policy is valid for 10 years from the date of its notification or till a new policy is formulated.

Tamil Nadu State Highways Authority

• The Bill to establish Tamil Nadu State Highways Authority (TNSHA) was passed in the ongoing Budget session.
• It is a statutory body to implement road infrastructure projects in Tamil Nadu.
• TNSHA will be formed on the lines of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to maintain and manage roads as per global standards.

Umagine 2024

• TN CM MK Stalin inaugurated the two-day conference - Umagine TN 2024 in Chennai.
• The conference was hosted by the Tamil Nadu government’s IT and Digital Services Department.
• Theme of the conference : “Inform the present. Innovate the future”
• The first phase of the state government’s free Wi-Fi hotspots scheme in Chennai was launched during the conference

Extension of Vidiyal Payanam

• The Free Bus Travel Scheme for women in Tamil Nadu famously known as “Vidiyal Payanam” was extended recently.
• The extension of the scheme in the Ghats section was launched in Udhagamandalam.
• It would be implemented in other hilly areas later.

Report on Keeladi excavation

• The Centre told the Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court that the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) will publish the report on the first two phases of Keeladi archaeological excavations in Sivaganga district.
• Mr. Ramakrishna had led the first two phases of the excavations in Keeladi between 2014 and2016.
• There were no significant findings in Phase III of the excavations.
• The Tamil Nadu State Department of Archaeology carried out the excavations from the fourth phase and so far nine phases had been completed.

TN BUDGET 2024 - 25

• Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu presented the State Budget for 2024-25.
• Theme: ‘Crossing obstacles and marching towards growth’
• Grand 7 Tamil dreams mentioned which includes,
  • Social Justice
  • Welfare of the Marginalized
  • Transforming Tamil youth as global achievers
  • Knowledge based economy
  • Equality focussed on welfare of women
  • Green Growth and Sustainable future
  • Tamil Language and culture.
• For 2024-25, the State has estimated its capital expenditure to be `47,681 crore, which is a growth of 12.11% over the revised estimates 2023-24.
• Top Three Sectoral Allocation
  • Education Department – 52,254 crores
  • Urban Development – 41,733 crores
  • Rural Development – 27, 922 crores.

Key Highlights

Development of Tamil language

• Translation of Twin Epics
• Tharani Engum Tamil Translated Tamil books will be available in world’s top 100 universities and libraries.
• Kani Tamil 24 Fund for Startups for developing new technologies in Tamil Translation.
• Digitization of rare books and documents in Tamil Language.
• Ethnographic documentation of tribal linguistic resources.
• Culture
• Open-air museum at the Keeladi excavation site.
• Excavation at 8 locations
  • Keeladi - Sivaganga
  • Vembakottai - Virudhunagar
  • Porpanai Kottai - Pudukkottai
  • Keezhnamandi - Tiruvannamalai district.
  • Thirumalapuram - Tenkasi
  • Kongalnagaram - Tiruppur
  • Marungur - Cuddalore
  • Chennanur - Krishnagiri
• Excavation in Other States
  • Muziris – Kerala
  • Palur - Odisha
  • Vengi - Andhra Pradesh
  • Muski - Karnataka
• Deep sea excavations.
  • Korkai and Alagankulam

Rural development

• Kalaignarin Kanavu Illam Scheme
• Aim - To create a ‘hut-free Tamil Nadu’ by 2030
• Tamil Nadu Rural Roads Improvement Scheme (TNRRIS)
• Anaithu Grama Anna Marumalarchi Thittam –II (AGAMT-II)
• 2000 New Overhead Water tanks.
• Initiative to restore 5000 water bodies.

Poverty Eradication

• Chief Minister’s Thayumanavar Scheme
• Aim - To bring around five lakh of the poorest families out of poverty within two years.
• Municipal administration and water supply department▪ Singara Chennai 2.0

▪ Chennai Theevu Thidal Development Scheme

Vada Chennai Valarchi Thittam. ▪ Rivers Restoration Project• Cauvery - Erode, Trichy• Noyal - Coimbatore, Tirupur• Vaigai - Madurai• Porunai - Paddy▪ Urban Green Project • Sea Water Desalination Plant – NemmeliWomen Welfare▪ Kalaingar Magalir Urimai Thogai.▪ Vidiyal Payanam Thittam – Rs 3,050 crore has been provided as subsidy for this scheme.▪ Moovalur Ramamirtham Ammaiyar Puthumai Penn Thittam would be extended to girlstudents in Tamil medium government-aided schools as well from the next academic year.▪ Chief Minister’s Breakfast Scheme 30,992 schools – 15 lakh people▪ Thozhi - Women Hostels. Chennai, Coimbatore, MaduraiVulnerabale Sections ▪ Transgender Welfare• The Transgender Welfare Board - 2 crore allotted for free educational expenses,including tuition and hostel fees of transgender students in pursuing higher education▪ Department of Social Security and Women & Child Development• Poonjolai - Model Home for ChildrenCoimbatore▪ ‘Tholkudi’ scheme • Aim - To upgrade the amenities in tribal habitations and improve the living standards of tribals.School Education ▪ Prof. Anbazhagan School Development Scheme▪ 15,000 Smart Classrooms▪ ‘Illam Thedi Kalvi’ schemeHigher Education ▪ Perunthalaivar Kamarajar CollegeDevelopment Scheme.▪ Upgrading 45 Polytechnic Colleges to Industry 4.0 Standards. ▪ Muthamizh Arignar Kalaignar Library & Science Centre – Coimbatore.▪ Naan Mudhalvan Scheme – 28 lakh people benefittedx• Free training programme under the Naan Mudhalvan scheme for six months toprepare for Central Government Jobs• Tamizh Pudhalvan Scheme • Aim – To provide a monthly assistance of 1,000 to boys who have studied in government schools from Classes VI to XII.Sports ▪ Four olympic academies - Chennai, Madurai, Trichy and Nilgiris.▪ Chief Minister Youth Festival ▪ India’s first Tamil Nadu Olympic Water SportsAcademy – Ramanathapuram. ▪ Six sports centres exclusively for para -sportspersons will be set up. Labor welfare▪ 10 New Government Industrial Training Institutes▪ Centres of ExcellenceMedicine and population well-being▪ Makkalai Thedi Maruthuvam▪ Innuyir Kappom Nammai Kaakum 48▪ Cancer Management Mission ▪ Centre of Excellence for persons with autismspectrum disorder. Industrial Development▪ SIPCOT Park – Thanjavur

▪ New Space Industrial and Propellant Park - Thoothukudi▪ 10 mini-textile parks - Erode, Karur and Virudhunagar▪ Neo TIDEL park at 5 locations. ▪ IT Park – CoimbatoreKnowledge Based Economy ▪ Kalaignar international convention centre-Muttukkadu, Chennai▪ Global Start-up Summit – To be held for the first time in Chennai.▪ Tamil Nadu Articial Intelligence Mission – Under State Chief Minister. ▪ Free Wi-Fi will be provided at 1,000 prime locations including Coimbatore, Madurai, Tiruchi and Salem. Environment▪ TN-SHORE (Neithal Meetchi Iyakkam)▪ Aim - To restore coastal resources spanning 1,076 km across 14 districts.▪ Development of beaches in Tamil Nadu - Blue Flag Beach Certification. • Marina – Chennai• Ariyaman – Ramanathapuram• Kayalpattinam – Thoothukudi• Kodavilai – Tirunelveli• Kameswaram – Nagapattinam• Kattumavadi – Pudukottai• Silver beach - Cuddalore • Marakkanam - VillupuramAGRICULTURE BUDGET 2024 - 25AGRICULTURE BUDGET 2024 - 25▪ Tamil Nadu Minister for Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare MRK. Panneerselvam recently presented the 4th Exclusive Agriculture Budget for 2024-25 at the Legislative Assembly. ▪ A total sum of `42,281 crore has been allocated for agriculture and related departments during 2024-25.▪ Agriculture Budget was first presented by theTamil Nadu Government in 2021-22. Key Highlights ▪ Chief Minister’s Mannuyir (மண்ணுயிர்) Kaathu Mannuyir (மன்னுயிர்) Kaappom Scheme (CM MK MKS).• Aim – To improve soil quality, and move towards sustainable and chemical-free agricultural practices for the well-being of society. • It will be implemented from the year 2024-2025 for which Rs.206 crore will be allocated.▪ One model Organic Farm • Aim - To promote the concept of Organic Farming. ▪ Sustainable Green Cover Mission – Under the scheme 1.96 crore tree saplings were distributed to 72,597 farmers at a cost of Rs.24.85 crore.▪ ‘Honey Production Hub’ will be established in Kanyakumari district with a budget of Rs.3.60 crore.▪ 100 Uzhavar Angadis will be established in urban areas along the lines of Uzhavar Sandhais at an outlay of Rs. 5 crore.▪ The Kalaignarin All Village Integrated Agricultural Development Programme.• Aim - To transform every village into a model of self-sufficiency.▪ Pulses Development Scheme• To attain self sufficiency in pulses, thescheme will be implemented during 2024-2025 in an area of 4.75 lakh acres at an outlay of Rs.40.27 crore

▪ Edible Oilseeds Production Enhancement Scheme• It will be implemented in all the districts of Tamil Nadu covering an area of 2.50 lakh acre at an outlay of Rs.45 crore. ▪ Scheme for Incentivising Enhanced Crop Productivity• Aim – To enhance the productivity of food grains, coconut, sugarcane, cotton, and sunflower, to position Tamil Naduas one of the top three states in terms of productivity. ▪ One Village One Crop – Demonstration• It will be introduced in 15,280 revenue villages to catapult production in rural areas. ▪ Tamil Nadu Millet Mission• It will be implemented for five years from2023-2024 to 2027-2028 in the two millet special zones.▪ Village Agriculture Development Group• Under the scheme, village development groups will be formed to offer training within the village panchayats. ▪ Cotton Cultivation Mission• To enhance the income of cotton farmers. ▪ Special Scheme for Mukkani Development• Aim - To boost the cultivation of mango, jackfruit, and banana in the State during2024-25.▪ Establishment of New State Horticulture Farm and Parks• Mullai Garden – Velimalai, Kanyakumari. • Marutham Park - Thirumalai Samuthiram• Sun Garden – Kanyakumari• Hibiscus Nursery Garden – Attur, Chengalpattu• State Horticulture Farm – Naduvakurichi• Jackfruit Value Addition Centre - Panruti, Cuddalore District. • Technology cum Market Promotion Centre – Perambalur.▪ GI Tags• In 2024-2025, Geographical Indication tag will be obtained for the following 10 Agricultural Products at the cost of Rs.30 lakh. i. Sathayamangalam Red Banana (Erode)ii. Kolli Hills Pepper (Namakkal)iii. Meenambur Seeraga Samba (Ranipet)iv. Ayyampalayam Nettai Thennai (Dindigul)v. Urigam Puli (Krishnagiri)vi. Bhuvanagiri Mithi Pagarkai (Cuddalore)vii. Sencholam (Salem, Karur)viii. Tirunelveli senna Leaf (Tirunelveli)ix. Odaipatti Seedless Grapes (Theni)x. Gloriosa Superba (Senkanthal seed-Karur, Dindigul, Tiruppur)▪ The name of Department of Seed Certification and Organic Certification in Tamil i.e.,விதச்சான்று மற்றும் அங்ககச் சான்றுத்துறை will be renamed as விதச்சான்றளிப்பு மற்றும் உயிர்மச்சான்றளிப்புத்துறை”.▪ Research programmes to develop new varieties in tuberose, chrysanthemum and rose with improved productivity and profitability through new genetical methodswill be carried out.▪ Rural Development• Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme• Tamil Nadu Corporation for Development of Women▪ Revenue and Disaster Management• The Catalytic Assistance for Drought Mitigation programme will be implemented from 2024-2025 in 110

Villages of 55 Blocks in seven districts namely Dharmapuri, Tiruppur, Pudukkottai, Sivagangai, Virudhunagar Ramanathapuram and Thoothukudi at an estimated cost of Rs.110.59 crore.• “Digital Azmoish (Digital Crop Survey) i. Aim - To enumerate crops cultivated in Agricultural lands.ii. By using the data captured in Digital Azmoish, e-Adangal will be issued online to the farmers from the year 2024-2025 onwards.▪ Development of Palm Products • Palmyra Development Mission - The Government has been implementing the Palm Development Mission for the last three years to increase the number of palm trees.