12-Feb-2024 07:23 PM
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Chennai, Feb 12 (Reporter) Tamil Nadu government's commitment on not to allow implementation of the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), continuing its opposition to Mekedatu dam construction by Karnataka across river Cauvery, criticising the Centre over non-release of GST funds, for Chennai
Metro Phase-II project and flood relief sought by the State, are some of the salient features of the Governor R N Ravi's customary New year address to the State Assembly on the opening day of the session on Monday.
While the Governor skipped reading the full text of the address prepared by the State government and concluded his speech in just two minutes after reading the first paragraph only citing a couplet from Thirukkural, the rest of the address in Tamil version was read by Speaker M.Appavu that lasted
nearly 45 minutes.
The Governor sat in the House till the Speaker finished reading the tamil version of the address after which Mr Ravi left the House in a huff after the State government chose to move a resolution to retain the printed text of english and tamil version of the address prepared by the state government and distributed to the members, in the Assembly records.
The address quoting poet Kaniyan Poongundranar's “Yaadhum Oore Yaavarum Kelir”, said this profound quote, which embodies the spirit of universal brotherhood embraced by Tamils in the Sangam Era, continues to serve as the guiding light for this Government.
"While the ideal of unity in diversity is facing a grave threat in our nation, this Government remains steadfast in its commitment to protect and preserve the communal harmony in the State", it said.
"We stand with minorities and our Sri Lankan Tamil brethren, as we pledge to protect their rights", it said.
"This Government will never permit the implementation of Citizenship Amendment Act in our State and vows to take all necessary measures in this regard", it added...////...