Chief Minister Edappadi K Palaniswami consecrated the foundation stone for a veterinary college-cum-research centre at Veerapandi village in Theni district through video conference on Thursday.

According to the press release issued, the institute would come up on 253.64-acre land at a cost of Rs 265.87 crore for the medical requirements of cattle in Madurai, Virudhunagar, Dindigul and Theni districts.

Since the college borders Kerala state, the veterinary college would also provide significant opportunities for marketing dairy products. The institution would have 15 departments, modern lab facilities besides dairy and meat processing units. Forty students will be admitted in the coming academic year.

Chief Minister also launched the distribution of bicycles free of cost to class 11 students. This year, bicycles will be distributed to 5,45,166 students - 3,06,710 girls and 2,38,456 boys - at a cost of Rs 214.79 crore.

On Thursday, nine students received bicycles from Palaniswami at the secretariat.

Deputy Chief Minister O Panneerselvam, School Education Minister KA Sengottaiyan, Adi Dravida Welfare Minister VM Rajalakshmi, Backward Classes Development Minister S Valarmathi and senior officials were present on the occasion.