2 mega drives later, only 52% in TN got 1st dose
CHENNAI: Despite two successful mega vaccination drives in the State and the Health Department completing more than 4.37 crore inoculations, at least half of the eligible population in TN are yet to get their first dose, data obtained from the Health department has revealed. Nationwide, over 65% of the eligible population have received first doses while TN’s first dose coverage is just over 52%. The State has been split into 46 health unit districts of which 23 have inoculated 50% or lesser of its population with the first dose.
Though a few districts are seeing a surge in vaccinations, especially during the drives, many are recording low turnout at inoculation sites. The highest of 28.51 lakh doses has been administered in Coimbatore, while only 4.3 lakh doses have been given in Thoothukudi until last week. The district has only 38% people vaccinated with first dose. Cheyyar, Kallakurichi, Ranipet and Mayiladuthurai have recorded 8% vaccination coverage of second dose. Coimbatore has recorded 74% coverage of first dose. In Chennai, 31% of the eligible population has received their second dose, while 15% percent people have been given the second dose in Tamil Nadu.
Chief Minister MK Stalin on Tuesday distributed welfare measures under various schemes of the Rural Development Department worth Rs 1,597.59 crore.
The welfare measures include distribution of free houses for 12,093 beneficiaries at the total cost of Rs 255.73 crore under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Rural), 2,217 works related to drinking water schemes such as construction of overhead tanks, water pipes and construction of ground level tanks at the cost of Rs 129.79 crore.
In the function held at Secretariat, the Chief Minister distributed work cards for 208 beneficiaries under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Generation Scheme, distributed funds to the tune of Rs 5.48 crore for 233 beneficiaries to setup sheds for cattle and sheep, gave orders to construct wells for 24 beneficiaries at the cost of Rs 1.22 crore and so on.
The Chief Minister also gave orders for laying new roads and maintenance of existing roads and small bridges under TN Rural Roads Development scheme. Under the scheme works will be carried out in 4,978 roads at the cost of Rs 862.22 crore. CM also gave orders to construct 96 school buildings and walls under the Integrated School Infrastructure Development scheme at the cost of Rs 14.13 crore.
The Chief Minister further handed over orders for taking up 4,024 works at the cost of Rs 273.79 crore. The fund for the works will be taken from various schemes and from the 15th Finance Commission.