The Tamil Nadu Government would set up video conferencing facilities in 51 courts across the State at a cost of Rs. 5.23 crores.

Reading out a statement in the Assembly under Rule 110, Chief Minister Jayalalithaa said her government, in 2004, had introduced the facility in prisons to prevent prisoners from escaping. Currently 33 prisons, including all central jails, have been connected to 352 courts in the State, she said.

The Government would also provide smart cards to the prisoners with all details about them throughout the State. More CCTV and IP cameras would be installed at a cost of Rs. 4 crores.

“In the last five years the Government has issued orders to construct court buildings and quarters for judges at a cost of Rs. 511 crores. This year a consolidated court complex comprising 13 courts will be constructed in Tirupur at a cost of Rs. 33.75 crores,” Jayalalithaa said.

Also quarters for eight judges and seven new court buildings would be constructed at Tiruvallur at a cost of Rs. 23.51 crores.

“Women entrepreneur groups will be set up and medicinal plants will be cultivated and sold through them. In the first phase, the scheme will be implemented in Salem, Dharmapuri and Namakkal district,” she added.