Chief Minister M K Stalin launches covid relief distribution

Chief Minister MK Stalin launched the distribution of Rs 2,000 COVID pandemic relief assistance to ration rice cardholders at the Secretariat on Monday.

The Chief Minister, who formally launched the scheme, handed over Rs 2,000 to seven families. “The field level staff also started the process of distributing tokens to eligible beneficiaries on Monday. The tokens will have the date and time of disbursal of dole on it. The distribution of cash will commence from May 15,” said Stalin, after distributing Rs 2,000 cash to the seven families.

The DMK president, during his election campaign, promised to give Rs 4,000 to all rice card holders across the state on the birth anniversary of his father and former DMK supremo M Karunanidhi. After assuming power his first signature was on the file approving disbursal of Rs 4,000 to the rice cardholders.

As part of the scheme, Rs 2,000 will be issued in May in the first phase and the balance Rs 2,000 will be given in June. Over Rs 4,100 crore was allotted for the scheme. After the CM launched the drive, ration shop workers in their jurisdiction began distributing tokens for all the rice ration cardholders.

The distribution of tokens will take place till Wednesday and from May 15, Rs 2,000 will be given to 200 ration cards per day.

The Chief Minister appealed to the public to wear masks and follow social distancing while receiving the cash at the ration shops from May 15.