Chennai: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K.Stalin will launch the Rs 1,000 per month scheme for women heads of families on September 15. the birth anniversary of Dravidiain Stalwart and former CM C.N.Annadurai.
This was one of the key announcements made by Finance Minister PTR Palanivel Thiagarajan while presenting the Budget for the year 2023-24 in the State Assembly today, while allocating Rs 7,000 crore for the scheme in the budget, which will be a game changer in the socio-economic life of women of the State..
The announcement, which was greeted with loud thumping of desks by the members of the Treasury Benches, was made iin line with the promise made by Chief Minister and DMK President M.K.Stalin on the last day of campaigning for the February 27 bypoll to the Erode
East Assembly seat that an announcement on implementing it will be made in the budget.
The Rs 1,000 per month scheme was one of the key promises made by the DMK in the run up to the 2021 Assembly polls, in which it romped back to power after a gap of ten years with a resounding majority and Mr Stalin became the Chief Minister for the first time.
The Opposition parties had been criticising the goverment for not honouring its poll promise, including the Rs 1,000 a month scheme for women heads of families.
Presenting the Budget, Mr Palanivel Thiagarajan said this Dravidian Model Government has planned and taken many initiatives to promote equality of women, who form half of the population.
The DMK Governments have always implemented schemes to improve the status of women in education, governance, positions of responsibility, economy and society at large.
“From giving equal rights in property and reservation in local bodies then, to free bus travel scheme for women now, we have always taken care to protect the rights of women and
promote their welfare”, he said.
“On the same lines, we had promised in the Election Manifesto that Rs.1,000 will be given every month to women heads of households. We not only follow the maxim: “we do what we say – we say what we will do”, but in addition we have also implemented many schemes which we have not promised.”, the Minister said.
Pointing out that schemes such as Makkalai Thedi Maruthuvam, Pudhumai Penn and Naan Mudhalvan did not find place in the Election Manifesto, Dr Palanivel Thiagarajan said Chief Minister who has implemented such innovative schemes, has been impressing upon us that the promise to provide „Magalir Urimai Thogai‟ (monthly incentive for women heads of households) should also be implemented.
“Based on this, I am very happy to announce that Rs.1,000 per month will be provided to women heads of eligible households from the upcoming financial year. Women heads of families who have been affected adversely by the steep increase in cooking gas price by the Union Government and the overall price rise, will be greatly benefited by this scheme”, he added.
“The month of September has a special significance to the Dravidian movement. The scheme will be launched by the Chief Minister on September 15, the birth anniversary of
Perarignar Anna, the great son of Tamil Nadu and a brilliant scholar”, he said.
“It is also noteworthy that the scheme is being launched in the centenary year of Muthamizharignar Kalaignar (former CM and DMK Patriarch M.Karunanidhi)”, he added.
The operational guidelines outlining the eligibility to avail the benefits under this scheme will be evolved and released soon.
A sum of Rs.7,000 crore has been allotted in the Budget for this scheme which will be a game changer in the socio-economic life of women of the State.
