Finance and Human Resources Management Minister Palanivel Thiaga Rajan on Wednesday announced in the Assembly that a 'Centre for Innovation in Governance' would be formed in the State Planning Commission under the Tamil Nadu Innovative Initiatives (TANII) to work with cutting edge institutions in innovation in governance, which is futuristic, climate friendly and sustainable.

Presenting the demand for grants for his departments, he said various State government departments and district administrations would work with modern technology companies to implement innovations and provide public services without any obstacles.

Modernisation

The Department of Economics and Statistics would be modernised with additional IT facilities to improve functional efficiency.

The department's State head office, six zonal offices, 32 district deputy director offices, 75 revenue statistics assistant director offices, 385 regional statistics offices would be strengthened by providing computers, wi fi and other facilities. With a budget outlay of over 150 crore, evaluation reports would be prepared to provide valuable evidence on cost effectiveness of large public spending of all State sponsored schemes.

Restoration of Ooty lake

He also announced that the conservation of Ooty lake would be carried out at a cost of 10 crore through which desilting works would be undertaken in the feeder channels and the lake with installation of Automated Debris Removal System at the mouth of the waterbody under Special Area Development Programme.

Mr. Rajan said a Nilgiris Heritage Museum and an experience centre would be set up to mark the 200 years of celebration to showcase the rich tribal natural and cultural history at an estimated cost of ₹10 crore under Special Area Development Programme.

SAD programme

The Javadu hills, Servarayan Hills, Kalvarayan Hills, Kollimalai, Pachaimalai would be included in the Special Area Development Programme. An amount of ₹2.5 crore would be sanctioned under Special Area Development Programme to make the 'Small Tea Growers' sector self reliant in the Nilgiris district. Besides, a Special Area Development Programme regional office would be established in Madurai.

Media: The Hindu