AMMA JAYALALAITHA

SELVI JAYALALITHA

After the demise of MGR Selvi Jeyalalitha who was the propagator of AIADMK party doctrines began to administer Tamilnadu as the permanent Chief Minister till 1996. During her administration in Tamilnadu innumerable schemes were implemented for the growth of the land. Inspite of the accute criticism of several people channelled towards her administration, no one can forget the fact that she is holding a non-diminishing popularity among the people.

The Scheme Of Temple Renovation:

The Hindu religious trust act passed in 1950 was reorganised in 1959 with the view to reform Hindu religious trust boards. On the basis of this a new administrative deapartment was organised to renovate the existing temples. There were 8 divisions under this new department. Each of them was administered by a Joint commissioner. Further, each of the above divisions was sub-fragmented into 17 sub-divisions controlled by an Assistant Commissioner. The temples were divided into four kinds on the basis of their annual income. The temple trustees were appointed by the government for these temples which fetched an income of a lakh of rupee and more. In general the expenditures of temple maintenances are met by the amount got as donations from the public and government contribution. The government set apart rupees 45 lakhs every year for the maintenance of the temples. 367 temples were benefited by this contribution during the period 1985 to 1992. preciously during the administration of Selvi Jeyalalitha excepting the temple under this scheme the uncard small village temple in the nook and corner of Tamilnadu were brought to routine workship by the steps taken by her. As a result of this, a trust was formed for the above purpose with the chief minister donation of Rs. 1,00,008. With the generous contribution of industrialists, liberal contributors and general public, the capital of this trust had grown to Rs. 1.51 crores within a short period.

Now a days stealing in temples had become common. Many valuable idols of Gods and Goddesses were snatched away. Special police forces were appointed to put an end to this stealing. In certain important temples alarms of different kinds were fixed to know the attempt of robbers. Apart form the religious services, temples engaged themselves in educational improvements an dsocial welfare schemes. Government gave encouragement and aid for these schemes. Five colleges, ten higher secondary schools, nine high schools, schools for learning vedas and devaram, schools for deaf and dumb, sidha medical missions, elders welfare home, orphanages, etc. are functioning under this scheme, obtaining financial aid of the government.

In addition to this, schemes are being implemented for the welfare of the priests in the temple. If a priest dies during this service in the temple a compensation amount of Rupees 20,000 will be given to his family. The compensation amount was only rupees 10,000 before. Selvi Jeyalalitha's period Tamilnadu is remembered as the golden era of Hinduism.

Prohibition Scheme:

Drastic steps were taken to implement complete prohibition in Tamilnadu by Selvi Jeyalalitha. When she addressed the 123^rd birth-day function of Gandhiji on 2/10/1991, she mentioned that complete prohibition was implemented in Tamilnadu, having in mind the welfare of women. Further, her government tried to abolish untouchability. But there was difficulty in implementing the above schemes effectively. Administrative difficulty and non-co-operation of the public and the sales of illicit liquor were the causes which prevented effective implemenation of the schemes.

Sales Tax Reforms:

The principles adopted to collect the sale tax which was the main revenue of the government, were full of practical confusion. So to reorganise and to re-arrange the collection of sale tax, committee were constituted under the leadershiop of Mr. P.S Lokananthan, Mr. S.R. Keyvar, Mr. S.P srinivasan and mr. K Karthikeyan. The committee submitted its report on the reorganisation of the collection of sale tax. The government of Selvi Jeyalalitha took several steps on the basis of the recommendation of the above committee to adopt an easy and simple policy to collect the sale tax. Further, the fovernment constituted a high level committee to advise the government to make necessary reforms in the assessment of sales tax. As per the recommendations of the high level committee anew method of self assessment in taxation was introduced and therby the sales tax income increased considerably. The government of Selvi Jeyalalitha took keen interest in the improvement of revenue department employees. The employees of the revenue department, especially in Madras met with great difficulties for want of residential facilities. To do away with this difficulty the government entrusted the responsibility of constructing 24 residetntial houses in a multistoryed builidng at Thiruvanmiyr with the Tamilnadu housing board. The government of Selvi Jeyalalith took keen interest in the improvement of revenue department employees. The empl.loyees of the revenue department, especialy in Madras met with great difficulties for want of residential facilities. To do away with this difficulty the governmen entrusted the responsibility of constructing 24 residential houses in a multistoryed building at Thiruvanmiyr with the Tamilnadu housing board. Further, the government had taken steps to modernise the sales tax department. As the computers were largely used in the accounting of sales tax, provision was made to give computer training to sales tax employees at a cost of five lakh rupees. As a result of this, Assistant Commissioners. Sales tax inspectors and sales tax clerks were given proper training to balance the sales tax account through computers.

Industrial Growth:

The government under Selvi Jeyalalitha gave preference to the industrial growth having in mind the improvement of production and economy of the state and the provision of more employment chances of ordinary people. The government of Tamilnadu had implemented several concessions and practical measures in the field of industry with a view to introduce industrialisation in the industries. The Tamil people who lived in foreign countries were provided with all facilities to start industries in Tamilnadu which promoted exports and provided employment facilities. The growth of heavy industries and very heavy industries was ensured. It could provide opportunity for the growth of small industries and sub industries related to themj by rending financial assistance. For this purpose, the government had announced several schemes for starting new industries providing fundamental facilitites through the institute of fundamental facilities organisation constituted by the government. This institute offered opportunity to start industries in Tamilnadu both by foreigners who were interested in investing in Tamilnadu and Tamil People who live abroad. The government had also started a special centre known to be industrial consultation and export promotion centre for the effective working of the newly started industries. As a result of this several big industries and innumerable small industries were started in different districts. As this government was deeply interested in the welfare of women folks, women were given preference to work in these industries. The government also encouraged the growth of small industries through a lot of labor acts. As per this act, the minimum number of workers in a factory was increased from 10 to 25. But the number was increased from 10 to 25. but the number was increased from 20 to 50 in these industries where there was no electricity. In general the growth of industies were prominent during the administration of Selvi Jeyalalitha

Police Force Improvement Scheme:

A revolutionary change was brought in the police department during the reign of Selvi Jeyalalitha. It was the introduction of separate women police stations. The first of its kind was started at Thousand lights in Madras with a lady circle inspector, three lady Sub Inspectors, six lady head constable and 24 lady constables. Further, the uniform of lady police was re-designed. This police station functioned properly and effectively and it led the way to the establishment of lady police station functioned properly and effectively and it led the way to the establishment of lady police stations in all parts of Tamilnadu. Further the government showed keen interest in improving the facilities of the police residential quarters. A police residential quarters with 112 houses was constructed at Pulliyanthoppu atan expense of 1 crore and 30 lakhs of rupees by the Tamilnadu Police residential quarters welfare corporation.

Social Welfare Scheme:

The government of Selvi Jeyalalitha gave preference to several people welfare schemes; preciously for the welfare of the backward classes. Preference was given to the educational improvement and provisions for employment of backward classes. New hostels were built for the uplift of the educationally backward students. Having given preference to the educational development, new higher secondary schools, polytechnics, technical colleges as well as universities were started during the reign of Selvi Jeyalalitha. Further, several effective schemes were drawn to develop Khadi Craft industries, fishing industries, drinking water boards, PWD, Adhi Dravida welfare department, Veterinary maintenance department etc. tourist centres were expanded. Steps were taken to protect the traditional arts and sculpture, Nutitious food schemes were expanded, Medical facilities were also extended. The government expected the ordinary people to be benefited by the above welfare schemes.

Involved into Severe Criticism:

The government of Selvi Jeyalalitha who ruled upto 1996 was severely criticised by the political leaders and the general public. Preciously the extravagant expenditure of the government, the Mahamagam festival, the unusually extravagant marriage of her adopted son Sudhakaran, foreign exchance corruption and the corruption of government officials, and ministers were severely criticised both by news papers, opposition parties and general public. Hence people decided unfavourably towards the government of Selvi Jeyalalitha in the election of 1996.

The Election of 1998:

In th election held in 1998 DMK supported by TMC obtained clear majority and the government was established, by M. Karunanithi. The government of karunanithi showed active interest in bringing to light the irregularities taken place during the reign of Selvi Jeyalalitha. A special court was constituted to try ministers and officials. Inspite of several allegation levelled against Selvi Jeyallaitha AIADMK with the support of BJP and PMK secured majority of parliamentary seats in the election of February 1998.

Third Time As CM:

The Legislative Assembly election of 2011 in Tamilnadu brought triump victory to Selvi Jeyalalitha. The AIADMK coailation secured 204 seats out of 234 constitutencies. Selvi Jeyalalitha assumed as CM of Tamilnadu for the 3^rd time and she signed in her first official meeting free for 20 kg rice for every cardholders as announced earlier in her election manifesto. This victory shows people frustration over against a particular family domination in DMK, 2G spectrum scam involved by DMK in Centre and law & order problem in Tamilnadu. People hope that she will redeem Tamilnadu from the attrocities and show a new path......... Let's hope! Belive never fails, Believe is life.