TN to launch 2nd phase Colour TV sets distribution on Feb 15

Chennai, Dec 27 (UNI) Tamil Nadu Government today decided to launch on February 15, the second phase of distribution of 25 lakh colour television sets under the ''Free TV distribution scheme.'' The committee of legislators, headed by Chief Minister M Karunanidhi, constituted to ensure transparency in procurement and distribution of colour television sets, met here today and finalised the modalities for the distribution, an official release here said.

It said the already constituted panchayat and ward committees would finalise the list of panchayats and wards, eligible for TV sets by January 15 and finalise the list of beneficiaries by January 31.

The committee decided to distribute 10,000 sets, each to 234 assembly constituencies in the state and start the distribution with 6813 village panchayats and urban areas, which had electricity and cable connection facilities.

Village panchayats, which did not have electricity and cable connection facilities would be given the sets subsequently, once they were provided with such facilities, the committee decided.

To begin with, village panchayats and urban areas, which had lowest population, would be given the sets, it said adding the beneficiaries should be ration-card holders and should not have television sets.

As decided in the previous committee meeting, it was decided to place orders with Airvision India Private Ltd for procuring three lakh colour television sets, the release said.

Today's meeting chaired by the Chief Minister was attended by Local Administration Minister M K Stalin, D Sudarsanam (Congress), G K Mani (PMK), C Govindasamy (CPI-M), V Sivapunniyam (CPI) and H Abdul Bazith (IUML), besides officials, the release added.

UNI WS KVV LS RK2125