Tamil Nadu CM offers 500 subsidised solar pumps for farmers outside delta region
CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami on Thursday offered 500 solar pumps to farmers outside the delta districts at subsidised cost, besides the 500 pumps announced earlier for delta farmers.
The pumps will be given to farmers at 90% subsidised price and it would cost the government Rs 25 crore.
The CM also announced sops in the textile, horticulture and MSME sectors. “Since 2012, Tamil Nadu has distributed 3,112 solar power pumps to farmers at a total subsidy of Rs 117.24 crore,” said the chief minister. Now, with more demand for solar pumps, the government has decided to distribute 500 more, he said.
The CM announced Rs 6.62 crore for cultivating rye, ragi, corn and other nutritional grain. Similarly, for cultivating bananas in more than 10,000 acres, Palaniswami announced Rs 27.83 crore. For cultivating vegetables and fruits, he allocated Rs 10 crore.
The government plans to introduce a diploma course in the Horticultural College & Research Institute at Thali in Krishnagiri district and in Centre of Excellence for Vegetables in Dindigul district. “This year alone, 50 students will be admitted for the diploma course in both these places and Rs 2 crore is being allocated for creating proper infrastructure in the two centres,” said the chief minister.
A new park will be set up in the Nilgiris district at a cost of Rs 10 crore. “As an increasing number of tourists are visiting Ooty every year, the government will build a parking area for vehicles at a cost of Rs 3 crore,” said Palaniswami. Under agriculture and horticultural department, a total of Rs 127.45 crore was allocated on Thursday, he said.
Under the textile department, the chief minister said handloom weavers would get employment throughout the year. During the period between 2019 Pongal festival, which falls in the month of January, and June, the weavers will get more work, the CM said. To give free uniforms for students, the government allocated Rs 4 crore.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes
