On the occasion of Dravidian icon C N Annadurai's birth anniversary, the DMK government led by Chief Minister M K Stalin initiated its flagship financial assistance program for women, granting them a monthly sum of Rs 1,000. Chief Minister Stalin personally inaugurated the program, emphasizing its importance in acknowledging the relentless efforts of women in society. Debit cards from banks were distributed to numerous beneficiaries, while state ministers extended the program's reach to their respective districts.
The launch of this scheme carries special significance, as it coincides with the birth anniversary of C N Annadurai and falls within the centenary year (2023-24) of M Karunanidhi, a former Chief Minister after whom the basic income program is named. The government has officially designated this assistance as the "right" of women, reflecting its commitment to supporting them, PTI rreported.
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Under this initiative, the government has identified a substantial 1.06 crore women as beneficiaries, and the Rs 1,000 assistance is disbursed through Direct Benefit Transfer. Formally known as "Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thittam," which translates to the Kalaignar Scheme for Women's Rights, the program pays homage to the late DMK leader Karunanidhi, affectionately known as Kalaignar, signifying his eminence as an artist.
This program, a prominent feature of the DMK's 2021 Tamil Nadu Assembly election manifesto, has been eagerly anticipated. It signifies a commitment to uplifting women and commemorates Annadurai, who played a pivotal role in DMK's historic victory in the 1967 assembly election and founded the party in 1949.
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Earlier this year, in July, Chief Minister Stalin initiated a registration camp in Dharmapuri to facilitate women's applications for the monthly assistance.
Stalin envisions this scheme as revolutionary, capable of ushering in a new era of prosperity for millions of women. The annual payout of Rs 12,000 holds the potential to significantly improve the quality of life for women, granting them greater self-respect and aiding in the fight against poverty.
On the 115th birth anniversary of Annadurai, Chief Minister Stalin paid tribute to the Dravidian stalwart by garlanding his statue before launching this impactful scheme,
