Prizes for helpful auto, taxi drivers

NAGAPATTINAM (TN): The Tamil Nadu Government has decided to reward drivers of taxis and autorickshaws who extend courteous services to tourists visiting the state, Tourism Commissioner M Rajaram has said.

The district collectors would recommend to the government the names of the drivers for the prizes, he said speaking at the launch of an awareness campaign here yesterday. He said the state tourism department had spent Rs 45 crore on various development works. Chennai had turned out to be the medical capital of the country, attracting a large number of foreigners.

For the safety of the visiting tourists, security guards would be appointed on an experimental basis in Chennai, Kancheepuram, Mamallapuram, Kanyakumari, Madurai and Thanjavur shortly, he added.

He said the campaigns were being held in all the District headquarters to create awareness among the people on the importance of tourism.

Rajaram highlighted the potential of Nagapattinam District, a notable place for religious harmony with the location of holy temples of Hindus, the Nagore Dhurgha and the Christian Shrine at Vailankanni.

Later launching the campaign for enrollment of members for the Rural-based Artistes Welfare Board, Rajaram said the members of the board would get various assistance such as Rs 2,000 each as marriage assistance for two of their children, Rs 2,000 in case of death of the member for funeral expenses and Rs 15,000 as solatium.