The Tamil Nadu government, on February 19, 2024, announced the setting up of a scheme “to launch a final assault on poverty over the next two years.” Called the Chief Minister’s Thayumanavar Scheme, it has been allocated ₹27,922 crore under the Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Department.
Finance Minister Thangam Thennarasu, who presented the State budget for 2024-25, said these funds would be used to help rescue about 5 lakh of the poorest of families from poverty by providing necessary government assistance, in an integrated manner. “The participation of elected representatives, charitable organisations, and banks will be ensured in this grand initiative,” he said.
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The Minister said, under this scheme, the most vulnerable sections of society including the destitute, elderly persons living alone, single parent families, orphaned children, those with mental impairments, persons with disabilities and families with children requiring special assistance would be identified. “In addition to fulfilling their basic needs, the requirements of education, employment opportunities, skill development and housing would also be met under this scheme. The identification of the poorest of the poor families will be carried out through the convergence of official databases, field inspections, community participation, and Gram Sabha sessions,” he added.
Also read: Tamil Nadu Budget 2024 LIVE updates, Key Takeaways and Highlights.
Mr. Thennarasu said over the past century, Tamil Nadu had made significant strides in reducing poverty through a multitude of pioneering social welfare programmes, setting an example for the entire nation. “The recent report by Niti Aayog, the Union Government’s policy think tank, has endorsed this progress, highlighting Tamil Nadu’s remarkably low multidimensional poverty index of only 2.2 per cent,” he recalled.
Restoration of 5,000 water bodies at ₹500 crore
Placing a thrust on the restoration of water bodies that have gradually deteriorated over time due to encroachments and lack of maintenance, Mr. Thennarasu also announced a project for the rehabilitation of 5,000 water bodies across the State.
This, he said, would be implemented through community participation under the guidance of leading scientific institutions, at an estimated cost of ₹500 crore. The project will cover minor irrigation tanks, ponds and their feeder channels in panchayat unions.
