Chennai, August 15
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay on Saturday vowed to safeguard the State’s constitutional rights and interests while delivering a transparent, people-friendly and corruption-free administration.
In his maiden Independence Day address after hoisting the national flag at Fort St George, Vijay said Tamil Nadu would cooperate with the Union government on measures benefiting its people. However, his government would resist any move that weakened the State’s interests or encroached upon its rights.
Paying tribute to freedom fighters and national heroes, Vijay said the meaning of independence could be realised only by confronting oppression and overcoming divisions based on caste, religion, language and race.
He identified transparency, truth and honesty as the foundations of his administration. Measures had been initiated to prevent public revenue from flowing into private hands and to eradicate bribery and corruption at every level, he said.
Outlining welfare measures, Vijay said the Amma Unavagam network and breakfast scheme were being strengthened and expanded. Funds had also been provided for crop-loan waivers and the kuruvai cultivation package to support farmers.
The Chief Minister said 717 TASMAC liquor outlets had been closed, while steps were being taken to computerise the corporation’s administration to improve transparency and monitoring.
Vijay said the law-and-order situation was being reviewed and officials had been instructed to treat people visiting government offices with dignity and courtesy. Citizens should not be forced to move repeatedly between offices to secure services or resolve grievances, he added.
Reaffirming his development agenda, Vijay pledged sustained efforts to transform Tamil Nadu into a model State with standards comparable to developed countries.
Earlier, Vijay arrived from his Neelankarai residence, received a ceremonial guard of honour and inspected the police parade from an open jeep. He hoisted the Tricolour around 8.45 a.m., marking his first Independence Day ceremony as Chief Minister.
