Tourism Minister distributes bicycles, inaugurates classrooms in Salem

Minister for Tourism R. Rajendran on Wednesday (January 7, 2026) distributed bicycles to 251 students and inaugurated four additional classroom buildings at the Corporation Girls Higher Secondary School at Pavadi in Salem district. The newly constructed classrooms were built at a cost of ₹50 lakh.

Addressing the gathering, the Minister said Chief Minister M.K. Stalin accords equal importance to education and healthcare and has been implementing welfare schemes by allocating substantial funds to the School Education Department. Schemes such as the Chief Minister’s Breakfast Scheme, Pudhumai Penn, Tamizh Pudhalvan, Naan Mudhalvan, Illam Thedi Kalvi and the bicycle distribution scheme are being effectively implemented in Salem district, he said.

He added that several initiatives, including smart classrooms, high-tech laboratories, model schools and literacy missions, are strengthening government schools. Referring to the recently launched laptop distribution scheme for college students, he said welfare schemes for students should be viewed as investments for the future.

Under the 2025–26 bicycle distribution scheme, bicycles are being provided to 25,159 Class XI students in 178 government and government-aided schools in the district.

Mayor A. Ramachandran, Additional District Collector (Development) N. Ponmani, along with senior officials, teachers and parents, were present at the programme.