Bill on new Tamil New Year Day passed

Chennai, Feb 1 (UNI) A Bill declaring the first day of the Tamil month 'Thai' as the Tamil New Year day was unanimously passed in the State Assembly today.

The Tamil Nadu Tamil New Year (Declaration Bill 2008) was introduced in the House by Chief Minister M Karunanidhi on January 29 and it was passed unanimously today.

Earlier, members of various political parties lauded the Chief Minister for introducing the Bill.

According to the statement of objects and reasons of the Tamil Nadu Tamil New Year (Declaration) Act 2008, the Governor in his address to the House had announced that in view of the consensus amongst almost all Tamil scholars that the first day of the month of Thai is the first day of the Tamil year, the Government had decided to declare the first day of Thai as the Tamil New Year Day.

The Bill seeks to give effect to the above decision, it said and added that the Tamil Year would commence on the first day of Tamil month 'Thai' and end with the last day of Tamil month ''Margazhi'.

Hitherto, the first day of Tamil month of ''Chithirai'' had been celebrated as Tamil New Year Day.

It may be recalled that Mr Karunanidhi, while participating in the final day festivities of Chennai Sangamam, announced that the First day of Tamil Month ''Thai'' would be celebrated as Tamil New year and that the Government would bring in a Legislation in this regard.

After the Governor made an announcement to this effect in his customary address to the House, the Government introduced the Bill and it was passed today.

The House also passed two others bills, moved by Tamil Nadu Local Administration Minister M K Stalin on January 29, upgrading Tirupur and Erode Municipalities as new Corporations.

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