In her parting speech on the last day of the 14th Assembly session in this poll-bound state, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa today thanked MlAs of opposition parties and lauded Speaker P Dhanapal for being 'unbiased' in his handling of affairs of the House.
Making a slew of announcements for differently-abled persons and farmers, the Chief Minister also expressed satisfaction over addressing the demands of the former "on the last day of the 14th Assembly".
"I am very happy to have worked as Chief Minister with the elected members of this House. While there have been many heated debates, I thank the opposition members for having worked without any hostility," she said.
Jayalalithaa, whose party is fancying a successive term after the elections due in about two months, said that the legislative Assembly was the 'specialty' of democracy and that it provided a 'rare opportunity' to serve people of various hues.
"I extend my felicitations to Speaker P Dhanapal who was unbiased and leader of the House (and Finance Minister) O Panneerselvam," she said.
Earlier, Jayalalithaa recalled her government's various welfare measures being implemented for the differently-abled, including provision of disabled-friendly scooters for them.
With the government strictly adhering to the three per cent job quota for such persons in government and its undertakings, 5,633 persons had been employed so far in this sector, she said.
Today, Jayalalithaa announced more sops for them, revising the disability criteria for eligibility of a monthly dole of Rs 1,000. The government has revised it from 60 per cent to 40 per cent, she said.
The government has removed the 'destitute' clause, where provisions include no income for such persons, the Chief Minister said, adding any unemployed person with 40 per cent disability would now be eligible for the monthly dole.
She also announced forming of a coordination committee under the leadership of Social Welfare Minister to monitor various schemes being implemented for the differently-abled. This panel would also advise the government on various issues in this regard, she added.