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Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin on Tuesday said that people of Tamil Nadu should act as a brand ambassador for the Dravidian model of governance that is being implemented by the DMK government where most of the government initiatives were aimed at women and children welfare. Speaking at a function after launching several welfare schemes and providing assistance to beneficiaries here, Mr. Udhayanidhi said that Vidiyal Payanam in which women can travel free in government buses in the State was the first government scheme that was signed by Chief Minister M.K. Stalin after he assumed his office in 2021. It exemplifies DMK’s commitment to women welfare. “Under the scheme, women in Tamil Nadu have made 820 crore trips since it was introduced over four years ago. In other words, the scheme has saved their (women) hard-earned money that could have been spent on commuting,” he said. The Deputy Chief Minister noted that after women’s welfare, the DMK government focused on welfare of children in the State. The Chief Minister’s breakfast scheme that was introduced by the Dravidian government was aimed to bridge the gap between nourishment and quality education. In numerical terms, around 22 lakh children are getting benefited under the scheme in the State. Studies also cite gradual increase in attendance of students in schools in the State due to the impact of the scheme on improving students’ nutrition, he said. Mr. Udhayanidhi said that eligible women, who were left out under the Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thittam (Kalaignar Women’s Rights Grant Scheme) will be enrolled in the scheme from December 15 onwards. The State government is taking steps to ensure no beneficiary under the scheme is left out. At present, around 1.2 crore women in the State benefit under the scheme, he said. Earlier, Mr. Udhayanidhi inaugurated 31 completed works including a new sub-registrar building in Gudiyatham, additional classrooms, and anganwadi centres to a tune of ₹ 11.80 crore. He also gave away government welfare assistance to 49,021 beneficiaries worth ₹ 414.50 crore. On the occasion, Collector V.R. Subbulaxmi, Vellore MP D.M. Kathir Anand, Mayor Sujatha Anandakumar, elected representatives, and government officials were present.
