The state government has surpassed its target of one lakh in providing house site pattas to the poor, revenue minister K.A. Sengottaiyan informed the Assembly on Friday.
Replying to queries from members, Mr Sengottaiyan said the government had fixed a target of one lakh house site pattas to be assigned during 2011-12 fiscal.
A total of 1.18 lakh house site pattas were given away as against the targeted one lakh persons, he said and added that officials of the revenue department worked strenuously to achieve the target.
House site pattas are given to families of defence personnel, including Border Security Force and Territorial Army personnel killed in action or disabled, scheduled caste and scheduled tribes, released bonded labourers, ex-servicemen and the landless poor.
On a plea to take up the renovation of Sri Meenakshi Sundareswarar temple in Vilathikulam in Thoothukudi district, Hindu religious and charitable endowment minister M.S.M. Anandan said the government had commenced the work at the temple at a cost of Rs 46.6 crore and the kumbhabhishekam would be conducted on June 30.
Tamil Nadu has brought almost the entire rural areas under electrification scheme, power minister Natham Viswanathan said in a reply to a question.
CPI (M) legislator from Perambalur A. Soundarajan urged the government to ensure two drivers on long distance buses operated by the SETC.
“On certain routes, the SETC buses are plyed with only one driver though as per rule two drivers should be deputed per bus,” the CPI (M) MLA said.
Transport minister Senthil Balaji said the government would take action if the member furnished details on the routes where the corporation operated long distance buses with one driver.