TN achieves target of issuing 3 lakh pattas to poor

Chennai, Jan 21 (UNI) The Tamil Nadu government today achieved the target of issuing three lakh house site pattas during 2007-08, three months ahead of the deadline.

Chief Minister M Karunanidhi distributed the 3,00,001st card, marking the achievement, at a brief function at his chamber in the secretariat, an official release said today.

Mr Karunanidhi had set the target to district collectors at a meeting held on July 31, 2007 after 58,000 house site pattas were issued since April 2007.

After coming to power in May 2006, the DMK government had distributed 76,622 house site pattas during 2006-07 to the poor people and decided to step up the distribution during 2007-08.

The Chief Minister also expressed happiness that the target has been achieved well in advance, the release added.

Mr Karunanidhi also launched the distribution of appointment orders to 2,500 Village Administrative Officers (VAOs), recruited through the state public service commission. These posts were lying vacant till June 2006.

During the previous AIADMK regime, recruitments were banned.

The DMK, in its election manifesto, had promised to lift the ban after coming to power.

Accordingly, after coming to power, the government had provided employment to 2.32 lakh unemployed youths in various departments, the release said.

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