Chennai: Aug 15:
Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on Saturday unfurled the national flag at Fort St George to mark the 80th Independence Day celebrations and said that freeing Tamil Nadu from bribery and corruption was equal to achieving freedom.
Addressing the gathering after unfurling the Tricolour, Vijay began his speech by extending Independence Day greetings to the people of Tamil Nadu and students. He paid homage to the freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives for the country’s independence.
“Saving Tamil Nadu from bribery and corruption is equal to achieving freedom. That is what this government is working towards,” he said.
Vijay said true freedom could be achieved only when people came together by breaking barriers of caste, religion, language and race.
The Chief Minister said his government was committed to women’s safety, social justice and transparent, honest governance. “There should be no compromise in public life. People’s welfare is paramount, and the government is functioning on that basis,” he said.
On the Centre-State relationship, Vijay said the Tamil Nadu government would maintain administrative cooperation with the Union government, but would oppose decisions against the rights of states and policy decisions that were detrimental to Tamil Nadu.
Referring to welfare schemes introduced by previous governments, Vijay said his government would continue implementing programmes that benefited the people. He specifically mentioned the Amma Unavagam scheme and the breakfast scheme, saying the latter had also been expanded.
Vijay said his government had completed three months in office and highlighted measures taken for farmers. He said ₹5,932.23 crore in crop loans had been waived and funds had been provided for the Kuruvai cultivation programme.
The Chief Minister said his government would build on existing welfare initiatives while focusing on clean governance, social justice and people’s welfare.