Thozhi’ Hostel Scheme
- The Tamil Nadu Chief Minister announced on the occasion of International Women’s Day.
- The Department of Social Welfare and Women Empowerment of the Government of Tamil Nadu has started eleven hostels for working women in nine districts.
- These hostels have been named ‘Thozhi’ (female companion).
- This hostel will function under the Tamil Nadu Working Women’s Hostel Corporation Limited.
- The objective is to provide safe and affordable accommodation to women.
- The hostels under this scheme have been set up in Chennai, Chengalpattu, Salem, Trichy, Tirunelveli, Vellore, Villupuram, Perambalur and Thanjavur.
- Currently, the Chief Minister has laid the foundation stone of 12 new hostels in Tamil Nadu at a cost of Rs. 62.51 crore through video conferencing from the Secretariat.
- 19 hostels are already functioning in Tamil Nadu.
- Furthermore, 14 hostels, including dormitories and observation houses, are to be constructed in various parts of Tamil Nadu.
- These hostels are to be constructed in Mayiladuthurai, Virudhunagar, Dindigul, Nilgiris, Ramanathapuram, Thoothukudi, Pudukkottai, Ariyalur, Thiruvarur and Kanyakumari to accommodate 740 employees.
- In addition, government model observation buildings under the name ‘Pooncholai’ are also to be constructed in Coimbatore district.
Mobile medical vehicle to diagnose cancer for women
- The Chief Minister inaugurated a modern vehicle that can go to women’s residences and diagnose diseases including cancer on 13.11.25
- This vehicle will be introduced for the first time in Kanchipuram district.
- This project is being implemented by the Public Health Department under the Cancer Prevention and Care Scheme, 38 mobile medical vehicles have been purchased at a cost of Rs. 40 crore for women’s welfare.
Ancient Monuments Commission Formation
- The Tamil Nadu High Court has ordered the setting up of an Ancient Monuments Commission to protect ancient and ancient temples and monuments
- The Ancient Monuments Commission Act came into force last year to protect ancient and ancient temples and monuments in Tamil Nadu.
Tamil Nadu Heritage Commission
- The High Court has directed the Tamil Nadu government to set up the Tamil Nadu Heritage Commission (TNHC) within four weeks.
- The purpose of the TNHC is to protect ancient buildings and complexes that do not come under the Central or State Ancient Monuments Acts.
- The TNHC Act was enacted in 2012, but remained dormant for 12 years.
- It came into force on March 12, 2024.
- The commission is yet to be set up even after the Act came into force.
Structure of TNHC
- A maximum of 16 members headed by an eminent person dedicated to heritage conservation, including ex-officio members: Tourism Secretary, Urban Development Secretary, Municipal Administration Secretary, Rural Development Secretary, Law Secretary.
Monuments and Antiquities Protection Act – 1958
- This Act was enacted to protect, maintain and study ancient temples, monuments, antiquities, archaeological sites etc. in India.
Some of the places protected under this Act in Tamil Nadu are
- Mamallapuram monuments of the Pallavas
- Thanjavur Great Temple
- Tiruvannamalai Arunachaleswarar Temple
- Kanchipuram Gangaikonda Cholapuram
- Keezhadi Archaeological Site etc.
Travel anywhere for one rupee
- A scheme has been introduced in the ‘Chennai One’ app to offer one-time concessional travel on metro, city bus and train by paying one rupee each.
- Accordingly, those who pay through UPI using BHIM and Navi apps can book their first ticket on Chennai Metro Rail and city buses for their first journey by paying just one rupee.
Chennai One – App
- This is the first app in the country to connect all public transport.
- The Chennai Metropolitan Transport Authority has developed it to promote public transport in Chennai.
- It was launched by the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu on September 22.
- Using this app, you can travel on city buses, metro and suburban trains
- This app can be used in 4 languages - English, Tamil, Telugu and Kannada.
