State-run TACTV to upgrade to HD, cyber security plan on anvil

The Tamil Nadu Arasu Cable TV Corporation will upgrade its broadcast to high definition with HD set-top boxes for its subscribers, Chief Minister K Palaniswami told the state assembly today.

Presently TACTV was providing digital cable television services in standard definition and it would be upgraded to HD, he said without spelling out any time-frame.

Palaniswami also announced a two-year increase in the age-limit for appearing in the state Public Service Commission conducted Group-1, 1-A, and 1-B examinations for services in the government.

The age limit for SC, ST, MBC, BC and Denotified communities would go up to 37 from the present 35. For Other communities, the age limit will now be 32 instead of 30, he said.

To protect the government's e-governance infrastructure and assure safe and secure internet services, "Cyber security architecture for Tamil Nadu," plan will be implemented through the State-run Electronics Corporation of Tamil Nadu Limited at a cost of Rs 21.39 crore, he said.

On higher education, he said as many as 41 university constituent arts and science colleges will become 'government arts and science colleges,' in the current academic year which would entail an annual recurring expenditure of Rs 152.20 crore.

In 2018-19, a total of 264 new courses will be introduced in government arts and science colleges (68 undergraduate, 60 postgraduate and 136 research subjects).

To handle such new courses, 683 assistant professor posts will be created for which the government would incur a recurring expenditure of Rs 68.46 crore, he said.

At a cost of Rs 48.96 crore, additional safe drinking water facility will be provided to 2,448 government-run schools needing more drinking water amentities in keeping with the strength of students.

Also, 2,283 information technology enabled 'smart classes,' will be set up at a cost of Rs 42.92 crore at government-run primary and middle schools.