GI Tag for Authoor betel leaves Geographical Indications Registry issued the GI Tag for Authoor betel leaves to Thoothukudi district administration. These betel leaves are nurtured by Thamirabarani river water. The leaves also find a mention in the 13th-Century book "The Travels of Marco polo”. The district is also waiting for the GI tag recognition of Kayathar lemon, Srivaikuntam banana, and Udangudi Karupatti. Monthly pay for urban local body representatives In a first, the Tamil Nadu government has decided to pay a monthly honorarium for all elected representatives of urban local bodies, including mayors. The honorarium for mayors will be Rs.30,000 per month, deputy mayors will get Rs.15,000 and corporation councillors will get Rs.10,000 per month. Municipal chairpersons will get Rs.15,000, vice-chairpersons Rs.10,000, and municipal councillors Rs.5,000. Chairpersons of town panchayats will get Rs.10,000 vice-chairpersons will get Rs.5,000 every month throughout their tenure.
