The Tamil Nadu Government today announced a series of new welfare schemes to benefit a cross section of the society. In his inaugural address to the state Assembly this year, the State Governor Mr Surjit Singh Barnala said the procurement price of paddy is being increased by 50 rupees per quintal. He said the price would now be 1050 rupees per quintal for ordinary grade variety.<br/>Mr Barnala said 21 lakh thatched houses will be converted into concrete roofed housing units in six years time. The Governor also announced that the entire loan taken by tsunami affected fishermen will be repaid by the state government. He said the banks have agreed to waive the outstanding interest on these loans. <br/>Reaching out to students who do not have any graduate in their families, the Governor said the state government has decided to bear their entire tuition fee in professional colleges irrespective of their caste or income. <br/>Mr Barnala said the government has decided to reduce the number of years to get patta in government land to three years and said this step will benefit thousands of poor people. Earlier, the AIADMK and MDMK members staged a walk out from the house criticising the state government. <br/>