Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa launched the Namadhu Gramam (Our Village) scheme with an initial annual outlay of Rs 200 crore aimed at the overall development of villages in the state. Under the scheme, all children in villages will be compulsorily enrolled in schools and the school dropout rate would be reduced, she said in her Independence Day statement. Besides, it was aimed at controlling infant mortality rate, eradicating female foeticide, poverty and improving sanitary conditions, with the active participation of villagers. To encourage well-performing panchayats, roads and cement roads would be laid and street lights and safe drinking water provided under the scheme, she said. The CM urged the people to provide the support to her government.