Tamil Nadu launches monthly financial scheme for woman family heads

The government would deposit the monthly amount directly into the bank accounts of woman heads of families and ATM cards would be distributed by the government for the purpose in a phased manner.

Prior to inaugurating the scheme, CM Stalin visited Anna Memorial House and garlanded the life-size statue of the leader.

A video highlighting how the scheme would benefit woman heads of families who play a significant role in the society was screened at the event which saw the participation of several women.

A couple of beneficiaries also spoke in the presence of the chief minister on how the scheme would be helpful for their livelihood.

Stalin, who inaugurated the scheme, provided ATM cards to the beneficiaries to avail the honorarium.

On the occasion CM Stalin said there can be no prouder moment for him than a beneficiary saying how the Rs 1,000 would make her walk with heads held high.

He added that his government was unable to implement the scheme immediately after assuming power due to the then financial situation. “But now we are able to fulfil the promise. However, it is hard to comprehend the fact that the DMK government has come up with such a scheme, despite a few people continuing to belittle it with lies. Many states are inspired by our scheme and they are also trying to implement it,” Stalin said.

Taking to X, formerly Twitter, Stalin noted on Thursday that the state has taken a historic leap with the Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Scheme that offers Rs 1,000 monthly assistance to 1,06,50,000 woman family heads.

“A groundbreaking initiative reshaping women’s welfare in India, which is set to inspire women family heads,” he added.

Earlier, the government had announced that a sum of Rs 12,000 crore would be allocated for this scheme annually, the highest for a social welfare scheme by the government.

The government has so far received 1.63 crore applications and has shortlisted the beneficiaries based on the eligibility factors.

To be eligible for the scheme, a woman should be aged above 21 years and have an annual family income of less than Rs 2.5 lakh and own less than five acres of wetland and 10 acres of dry land.

Additionally, her household’s yearly domestic power consumption should be less than 3,600 units. Each family can nominate one woman member on the ration card for the benefit.

Since Thursday, many had started to receive SMS regarding their application status. CM Stalin had instructed officials to add a toll-free number alongside the SMS to report if they face any difficulty in withdrawing the amount from their accounts.

Further, the government had earlier announced that helpdesks would be set up at the areas where the scheme is initiated to help people whose applications were rejected to explain the reason behind rejection and assure them that their applications will be scrutinised.