Tamil Nadu

Free TV scheme opens up the world to villagers: Velu

ARNI: Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi launched the free colour television sets scheme to enable the rural people to know about the developments taking place the world over, Food Minister E.V. Velu has said.

Distributing free TV sets and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) connections and gas stoves to beneficiaries in Adayapulam, Meyyur and Ladavaram in Arni taluk in Tiruvannamalai district on Tuesday, Mr. Velu said TV sets had been provided to 87,780 families in Tiruvannamalai district in 2007. This included 9,896 families in Arni Assembly Constituency. A total of 1.30 lakh sets were distributed to beneficiaries in Tiruvannamalai district this year. This included 541 families in Adayapulam and 604 families in Ladavaram in Arni taluk.

The government distributed free LPG connections and gas stoves to three lakh families in the State last year, the Minister said. Mr. Karunanidhi had ordered the distribution of LPG connections and stoves to eight lakh families this year. Connections and stoves were given to 10,747 families in Tiruvannamalai district last year and would be given to 29,492 more families this year, Mr. Velu said. LPG connections and stoves were given to 459 families in Meyyur in Arni taluk on Tuesday. Mr. Velu distributed free bicycles to 300 Standard XI students at a function held at Government Girls Higher Secondary School here on Tuesday.

As many as 2,441 boys and 3,150 girls belonging to Backward Classes and 3,866 boys and 3,581 girls belonging to the Most Backward Classes in the district would be given bicycles on behalf of the Department of Backward Classes, Most Backward Classes and Minorities Welfare this year.

On behalf of the Department of Adi Dravidar and Tribal Welfare, bicycles would be distributed to 3,008 boys and 2,747 girls at the cost of Rs.1.11 crore. Tiruvannamalai Collector Satyabrata Sahoo presided.

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