Chennai: The Tamil Nadu Chief Minister today announced a long list of subsidies and welfare schemes for the agricultural sector.

Declaring that the production of food grains in the state has touched 1.30 crore metric tonnes, due to the initiatives of her government, the Chief Minister, under Rule 110, announced 80 percent subsidy for pump sets of 10 HP, that function from solar power. The scheme, to be implemented at a cost of Rs 21.90 crores, will benefit 500 farmers.

Farming equipment, including tractors, connecting machinery, multi crop threshers, and rotary drills, will be acquired rented to the farmers, in order to put an end to the shortage of labour in the agricultural sector.

In an effort to popularize organic farming, she announced that chemical-free cultivation of fruits and vegetables will be encouraged in 1,27,5900 acres of land, at a cost of Rs.10 crores. The Government-run agricultural colleges and research institutes in Pudukottai, Thanjavur, and Thiruvannamalai districts will soon get new classrooms, labs and exam halls.

In another statement, she said the corpus fund of Tamilnadu Traders Welfare Board will be increased from Rs.5 crores to Rs.10 crores, a poll promise made by the party.

The Chief Minister announced the setting up of assistance centres at 229 Commercial Taxes offices to help traders to file tax returns through the e-C Tax software, at no extra charges. She also said that nine consolidated Commercial Taxes department buildings will be constructed, and announced that all procedures of the registration department will be computerised.