Ration Cards For Women Living Alone, A Revolutionary Scheme

In the DMK regime, various schemes were introduced for the welfare of women such as the free bus ride scheme, Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thogai Thittam etc. Now, considering the welfare of divorced women and women who are living separately from their husbands, CM Stalin has announced a scheme to provide them with separate ration cards.

Generally, financial assistance given to a family such as flood relief, Pongal bonus do not reach the hands of the female members of the family, a big chunk of it is used by male family heads alone. Realising this constraint, the Dravidian model government introduced Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thogai Thittam which benefitted around 1.06 crore women by providing financial assistance directly to them.

CM Stalin has allotted 7000 crores for the implementation of Kalaignar Urimai Thogai Thittam which was introduced by Karnataka government also after realising its significance. As a continuation of women welfare schemes, CM Stalin has now acknowledged the divorced women and women living separately from husbands as a family. The intention behind the introduction of such a scheme is to ensure the reach of benefits to the genuine and eligible beneficiaries.

Previously, divorced women and unmarried women did not enjoy the benefits of fair price shops (Public Distribution System) and other such benefits given by the government. Reason being, the absence of separate ration cards for them. All such barriers in enjoying the benefits are shattered by the government order which gives separate ration cards to divorced and unmarried women.

If a request is made saying that a particular woman is divorced or unmarried, then family ration cards will be issued to them. There is no need to submit documents for the verification of the divorce. Regarding this, the government has issued necessary instructions to the officers of the Consumer Protection Department.

Opinion of women about the scheme:

Regardless of age, all women unanimously welcomed the scheme. A grandmother in an auspicious yellow saree said, "The scheme will help the women living alone, to get a minimum of 5 kg rice and eat peacefully. Women living alone deserve this basic thing after all they have gone through in life. I whole-heartedly welcome the scheme introduced by CM Stalin."

Another middle-aged woman said, "Ration card is not just a means to get products at subsidised price, it is also recognised as a government document for address proof in many places. In this case, women living alone cannot give ration cards as proof but now the situation is changed by CM Stalin to whom women are eternally grateful."

A grandmother who runs a flower shop said, "Women were disrespected in the past but now women's position has advanced exponentially, thanks to CM Stalin's multiple women welfare schemes. My husband is an alcoholic who engages in domestic violence. I got separated from my husband and underwent a lot of challenges due to the absence of concessions and benefits otherwise enjoyed by a normal family."

She continued, "Women of today's generation have progressed a lot owing to the government's tireless efforts. Likewise, this scheme will empower a particular section of women who are either divorced or unmarried. Period of women slavery has gone, the period of women empowerment has found its roots in the DMK regime."

Two men returning from work said, "This is one of the revolutionary schemes introduced by CM Stalin. It shows that the DMK government is willing to work for the progress of divorced and unmarried women also. The scheme stands testimony to the promise made by CM Stalin that the government will stand by the victims and take care of them."

A woman returning from work said, "DMK government has showed more concern for women than the previous governments by introducing many women-centric schemes such as free bus ride scheme, provision of Rs.1000 under Kalaignar Urimai Thogai Thittam and now the distribution of ration cards for divorced and unmarried women. My sincere thanks to CM Stalin for understanding the situation of women."

The DMK government knew that an empowered woman is powerful beyond measure.