WELFARE PROGRAMMES IN THANJAVUR DISTRICT (1947-1967)

Thanjavur district which has always been the center point of administration in the reign of the cholas and pandyas. Thanjavur was declared a third grade municipality in 1866.After that with changing needs and Thanjavur progressed to second then first and special grade Municipality since 1983. After Independence Congress Government took various measures for the promotion of rural welfare programme in Tamilnadu as well as Thanjavur district. Tamilnadu being a welfare state, the purposeful endeavours of the Government are aimed at the social, economic and political upliftment of the people in the rural areas. Rural development aims at improving the rural lives with the participation of the rural masses. Rural Welfare Programme, otherwise known as Firka development scheme, was formulated by the National Government in 1946. This scheme envisaged the construction of roads, improvement of water-supply, sanitation, and health, development of agriculture, live-stock, and cottage industries, introduction of electricity, encouragement of Khadi, provision of basic education, formation of Co-operative societies, and the reorganization of the Panchayats. The above welfare measures taken by the Congress ministry of Tamil Nadu after 1947, stimulate the people for the improvement of their social and economic status