Krishnagiri/Dharmapuri: Deputy chief minister Udhayanidhi Stalin inaugurated 500 projects worth ₹41.5 crore, laid the foundation stone for 709 new projects worth ₹147.92 crore, and distributed government welfare assistance worth ₹326.93 crore to 10,709 beneficiaries in Krishnagiri on Friday.Speaking at a government function, Udhayanidhi said the government has set targets to build eight lakh houses by 2030, eliminate school dropouts, create employment for 50 lakh people, and introduce smart classroom facilities in all government schools. Udhayanidhi said the government has announced a knowledge corridor in Hosur, akin to the Rajiv Gandhi IT Expressway in Chennai, to promote development on par with Bengaluru. However, rumors are being circulated that land up to one kilometer on both sides of National Highway 948 will be acquired for the project, which will affect the Kelavarapalli dam irrigation area, even though the work has not yet begun. He said farmers have raised concerns with the government through minister R Sakkarapani, and the chief minister had clearly assured that the government would not implement any project that harms farmers or the people of Krishnagiri. At a government function held at the Dharmapuri Government Arts College, Udhayanidhi laid the foundation stone for 421 new projects and inaugurated 33 completed projects in the district. Speaking on the occasion, he said there are four lakh self-help groups (SHGs) in Tamil Nadu. To strengthen them further, the government has facilitated bank credit linkage of ₹1.41 lakh crore for SHGs. He said that members of SHGs have been provided with identity cards. The card offers several benefits, including free transport of products up to 25kg for 100km in government buses, along with fee concessions at Aavin and Co-optex outlets.
