Nordic ambassadors call on Palaniswami, Panneerselvam

Envoys representing four Nordic countries today called on Chief Minister K Palaniswami at the Secretariat here and discussed a host of issues.
Ambassador of Finland to India, Nina Irmeli Vaskunlahti, Ambassador of Iceland, Thorir Ibsen, Norway Ambassador Nils Ragnar Kamsvag and Swedish Ambassador Harald Sandberg met Palaniswami at the Secretariat, official sources said.
Chief Secretary, Giriji Vaidyanathan, Public Department, Principal Secretary, Shiv Das Meena were among those who were present on the occasion.
Palaniswami formally assumed office today, two days after he won a vote of confidence with a 121-11 margin in the Assembly.
After calling on Palaniswami, the visiting ambassadors met former Chief Minister O Panneerselvam at his residence in Greenways Road, a press release from the rebel AIADMK leader's camp said.

Panneerselvam in his brief interaction appreciated the 'Nordic' social welfare model and its emphasis on maximising labour force participation, promoting gender quality and its extensive benefit levels.
He highlighted some of the populist schemes introduced by late AIADMK supremo J Jayalalithaa such as 'Amma Canteen', 'Amma Pharmacy', 'Amma Water', it said.