TN government scraps free colour TV scheme

Chennai, Jun 10: Scrapping yet another pet project of the erstwhile DMK rule, the Tamil Nadu government today (June 10) jettisoned the free colour television scheme.

The orders for around 7 lakh colour television sets to be procured under the sixth phase of the scheme had been cancelled, Chief Minister Jayalalithaa told the Assembly.

Over one lakh colour TV sets already procured in the sixth phase would be distributed to orphanages and anganwadis among others, she said, replying to the debate on motion to thank Tamil Nadu Governor Surjit Singh Barnala for his address.

Since coming to power on May 16, the Jayalalithaa administration has reversed several of DMK government's pet projects, such as the free housing and medical insurance schemes.

The government has also announced a probe into alleged irregularities in the construction of the new Assembly-cum-Secretariat complex, estimated to have cost around Rs 1,000 crore.

Apparently targeting the Maran brothers, who own a media empire, the government has also announced it would nationalise the multi-crore rupee cable TV business and revive state-run Arasu Cable TV Corporation.

PTI