Rural Development Minister Anand orders MGNREGA wage timeliness, Jal Jeevan connections, silt-distribution push

Press Release As per the directions of the Hon'ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, a review meeting was held today (27.05.2026), chaired by Hon'ble Minister for Rural Development and Water Resources Thiru N. Anand, on the key schemes being implemented by the Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department. During the review meeting, the Hon'ble Minister for Rural Development and Water Resources stated that the economic growth of rural areas is a very important factor in India's overall economic growth, and gave the following directions to officials of the Department, which is engaged in the vital service of providing basic amenities to rural residents and raising the standard of living of the countless people living in rural areas: - All must work together to improve the standard of living of the people of Tamil Nadu, particularly rural residents. Everyone must work hard, without any slackness in the above works. - While implementing schemes, there must be no compromise on the quality of work. - Works must be completed within the stipulated time and brought into operation. - There should be no compromise on the quality of roads and bridges. - It must be ensured that wages under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme are paid on time. - It must be ensured that drinking water connections are provided to all households under the Jal Jeevan Mission. Overhead water storage tanks must be cleaned properly, and it must be ensured that clean drinking water is provided to all. - The Swachh Bharat Mission must be implemented well, ensuring 100% segregated waste collection. Solid waste management must be implemented effectively. - Quality works must be taken up under the MLA Constituency Development Scheme. Newly elected MLAs must be briefed on this scheme so that many good works can be carried out. - Minor irrigation tanks in rural areas must be properly restored. The Hon'ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu has made the special announcement that silt will be provided free of cost to benefit all farmers. Officials must work to ensure that its benefits reach everyone, without delay and without leaving room for complaints. - It must be ensured that streets in rural areas are kept clean and that all street lights are properly maintained. - Opportunities must also be given to women's self-help groups to carry out small works, along with proper training for the same. - Groups of educated local women and youth may be engaged to ensure the quality of works. - All works must be properly video-recorded and bills settled along with the pending register (Pendicreve). - Following all the above directions, everyone must work together to make our Department an exemplary one. The review meeting was attended by Thiru Prashanth M. Vaishnamar, IAS, Secretary to Government, Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department; Thiru Pa. Ponnaiya, IAS, Commissioner, Rural Development and Panchayat Raj; all Additional Directors, Joint Directors, District Additional Collectors (Development)/Project Directors, Chief Engineers, Superintending Engineers, Executive Engineers, and other senior officials of the Directorate. Issued by: Director, Directorate of Information and Public Relations, Chennai-9