Tamil Nadu to launch innovative initiative

Departments and undertakings under the Tamil Nadu government will set up "Tamil Nadu Innovative Initiative" to inculcate the spirit of innovation in the state, Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa said here Friday.

In a statement in the assembly, Jayalalithaa said the Initiative will first take steps to launch innovative activities in government departments and state-owned undertakings. Later the activities will be spread to other organisations.

She said Rs.150 crore will be allocated per year for this activity and a Chief Minister's Innovative Award will also be given.

Jayalaltihaa said good governance includes formulating policies based on studying whether the existing projects have attained their stated goals.

She said the state government would sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Jameel Poverty Action Lab at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) to study and assess the efficacy of the various state government programmes.

Jayalalithaa said school, poverty alleviation, noon meal programmes would be assessed and steps to improve them would be suggested by engaging world famous economists and social scientists.

She said Rs.3 crore would be allocated for this initiative this fiscal.

According to the chief minister, 750 poor farmers in various districts will be provided assistance to carry out integrated farming at an outlay of around Rs.8 crore.