Date:29/09/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/09/29/stories/2007092952790300.htm

Tamil Nadu

1,731 acres distributed to landless farmers

Staff Reporter

Soil health cards distributed to 1,012 farmers: Minister

THENI: A total of 1,731 acres of land worth Rs.2.32 crore have been given to 1,472 landless farmers in the district , Minister for School Education Thangam Thennarasu said on Friday.

He was addressing a function at Cumbum, near here, to distribute land to landless farmers and farm labourers.

The Minister said the DMK Government had translated all its election promises into schemes. Soil health cards were distributed to 1,012 farmers and free house pattas worth Rs.76 lakh to 528 persons. Similarly, 48,907 families received colour television sets and 7,318 got gas connections. A total of 16,808 families in the district would get new gas connection in the next five months.

The district administration had set up a computer centre to process applications seeking new ration cards. The new cards would be given to applicants shortly.

Detailing the benefits of the Sethusamudram project, he said it would change the economic scenario in the State. In the first phase, the Minister distributed 266 acres worth Rs.33.79 lakh to 264 beneficiaries, soil health cards to 755 beneficiaries and house pattas worth Rs.1.01 crore to 441 beneficiaries. He also gave away old age pension, marriage assistance and ration cards to over 250 beneficiaries.