Tamil Nadu - Erode

Minister launches subsidised spices scheme

PHOTO: M.GOVARTHAN

This is for you: Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Subbulakshmi Jagadeesan hands over a subsidised spices packet to a beneficiary at a function organised in Goohalur village on Friday. —

ERODE: Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Subbulakshmi Jagadeesan on Friday inaugurated the State Government’s scheme to make availabe spices and condiments at subsidised price to the people.

Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi recently announced that a packet containing 10 spices and condiments, worth over Rs. 70 in the open market, would be sold at Rs. 50.

Speaking at the Goohalur Primary Agriculture Cooperative Bank, near here, Ms. Subbulakshmi said the price of the 10 commodities in Chinthamani, the Government-run fair price shop, was Rs. 94 and in the open market Rs. 109.

No State in the country implemented such schemes, she said and wanted local body representatives to ensure that it reached the beneficiaries.

Ms. Subbulakshmi also highlighted the Government’s other schemes like Re. 1 a kg rice scheme, thrice a week egg scheme, etc.

Joint Registrar of Cooperative Societies, Erode, R. Indumathi said 8.29 lakh ration card holders benefited from services provided by 1,173 of the Department’s fair price shops.

The Department had so far given Rs. 45 crore as agriculture loan, as against the target of Rs. 90 crore.

As part of the event, the Minister and the officer gave welfare assistance worth Rs. 14.26 lakh to 92 beneficiaries.

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