Chennai: Chief Minister M K Stalin inspected a fireworks factory at Kannicherry Pudur and a government-run children’s home at Soolakarai as part of his wide range of engagements in Virudhunagar district that he visited on Saturday to review the progress of development works that were announced by the Chief Minister or during the debate for grants for various departments in the Assembly.
Arriving in the district to a rousing welcome by the common people, who lined up on both sides of the road as the Chief Minister drove down from the Madurai airport, he held meetings with the Ministers and officials concerned and urged them to expedite the work on the developmental schemes.
Arriving at the Annai Sathya Ammaiyar memorial government children’s home with the cakes, biscuits and fruits that he bought for the children on his way to the home from a bakery and nearby fruit shops at Soolakarai Medu, Stalin inspected the boarding and lodging facilities made available to the 35 students living at the home that had obtained a license to accommodate 49 students.
Enquiring about their studies, Stalin advised the students not to give up on education come what may and come up in life. The home provides in house facilities for running class rooms up to fifth standard, after which they attend the government higher secondary school at Soolakarai.
The home that was started in 1984 was earlier housed in Sattur before being shifted to the present premises in 1999. It now comes under the purview of the Child Welfare and Special Services Department.
The Chief Minister was also appreciative of the extracurricular activities of the students who played sports and games, besides attending tailoring classes and indulging in gardening.
At the Madan Fireworks cracker factory, Stalin expressed his appreciation to the owners for running the unit, employing 80 workers, without any accidents so far. He stressed on the need for factories to keep environmental protection in mind while carrying out their operations and also to strengthen the safety and security measures.
Stalin had a tete-e-tete with the 36 women workers there and enquired with the women if they were receiving Rs 1000 assistance given to them every month under the special scheme of his government without any hitch.
Besides checking the factory’s license and other papers, he inspected the chemicals store room and other facilities to ensure if all safety measures were followed by the management and enquired with the owners if their employees had insurance cover.
Outside the factory a huge crowd gathered to greet the Chief Minister and also hand over petitions. Stalin received all the petitions with a promise to look into them.
