` 2Kaid to 60L BPL families in TN

Proposal aims to ensure inclusive growth, says CM ■

Days after it announced in the state budget it would launch a comprehensive accidentcum- life insurance scheme for all the below poverty line ( BPL) families in Tamil Nadu, the state government on Monday announced it would provide special financial assistance of ` 2,000 each to about 60 lakh BPL families across Tamil Nadu.

“Considering the impact of Gaja cyclone in many districts and the prevailing drought condition, as well, the government will provide special assistance to each of the BPL families this year,” chief minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami told the Assembly on Monday.

Making a suo moto announcement he said the proposal was part of the state government’s efforts to ensure inclusive growth.

“The initiative will benefit about 60 lakh BPL families including 35 lakh families in rural areas besides 25 lakh families in urban centres. To facilitate this, an allocation of about ` 1,200 crore would be included in the supplementary estimates for 2018- 19 fiscal,” Mr Palaniswami said. The list of beneficiaries includes farm labourers, workers in the fireworks industry, power loom and handloom weavers, saltpans and fish workers, besides construction workers among others.

Quoting a Tamil film song, he said late chief minister J. Jayalalithaa was always concerned about the welfare of people who lived below the poverty line and also economically weaker sections.

◗ Initiative will benefit 35 lakh families in rural areas besides 25 lakh families in urban centres. ◗

The CM said J. Jayalalithaa used to be concerned about weaker sections.