The State Government has amended the Tamil Nadu Infrastructure Development Act, 2012, to include the Agriculture Secretary on the infrastructure development board coming under the Act.

The Bill was introduced in the Assembly today and passed to take immediate effect.

O. Panneerselvam, Minister for Finance and Public Works Department, moving the Bill, said at the first meeting of the Tamil Nadu Infrastructure Development Board formed under the law and headed by the Chief Minister, it was felt that the Secretary to the Agriculture Department should be a member of the Board.

The meeting was held in February 2013.

The amendment provides for the Agriculture Secretary to be an ex-officio member of the board and the executive committee.

The law provides for an institutional framework to speed up infrastructure development, encourage private sector participation and to identify projects on a priority basis.

It addresses various aspects of implementing infrastructure projects including, funding, design, construction, maintenance and operation of infrastructure projects, either through public sector or public-private partnerships.

The board includes the Finance Minister as the Vice-Chairperson; Chief Secretary as the Member Secretary; and the secretaries of government departments including finance, public works, industries, municipal administration, rural development, housing and urban development, law, revenue, and environment and forests.

The board will also include a chief executive officer of the rank of finance secretary.

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