Karunanidhi launches free gas connection scheme

Chennai, Jan 14 (UNI) After free colour TVs to the poor and free lands to the landless labourers, it is now free cooking gas stoves and connections to the poor in Tamil Nadu.

The free gas connection distribution scheme, launched by Chief Minister and DMK President M Karunanidhi today, marked fulfillment of yet another poll promise made by the DMK government.

It turned out to be a virtual Pongal Gift for the people as the scheme was launched on the eve of the Harvest festival.

Various Ministers launched the scheme at different district headquarters.

In the first phase, about 30,000 connections were given to the poor people.

The beneficiaries at the village level were identified by a Committee, constituted by the government, comprising the Panchayat President, Village Administrative Officer, School Headmaster, Family Health Worker and a representative from a non-governmental organisation.

In urban areas, the committee was headed by the Ward Member and department official, school headmaster or teacher and a social worker.

The government had decided to give about three lakh connections of which 1.5 lakh connection would be provided in a phased manner by the end of January 2007. The balance connections would be distributed by the end of March.

Under the scheme, all the families that do not have a connection would be provided with one over the next four years.

The free gas stove scheme was one of the several poll promises that catapulted the DMK to power in the May Assembly polls. The other populist schemes launched during the eight-month old DMK regime included rice at Rs two a kg waiver of farm loans, distribution of Colour TVs, two eggs a week under the noon meal scheme and Wasteland Development Scheme, among others.

UNI