<p>Billed as one of the biggest Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) scheme, the Tamil Nadu government on Friday launched the Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thittam scheme that will provide Rs 1,000 as “rightful money” monthly for 1.06 crore woman heads of families, fulfilling a key aspect of the ruling DMK’s manifesto for the 2021 assembly elections. </p><p>Chief Minister M K Stalin launched the scheme in Kanchipuram, the birth place of DMK founder C N Annadurai, on the latter’s birth anniversary, by handing over ATM cards to 13 beneficiaries, while his cabinet colleagues rolled out the program in districts. The amount – Rs 1,000 -- was credited to a majority of the beneficiaries’ bank accounts on Thursday evening. </p><p>This is the third scheme that the two-and-a-half-year-old DMK dispensation has launched exclusively for the state’s women population. Free bus travel to women in town buses, and Rs 1,000 per month to girl students who studied from class 6 to 12 in government schools till they complete their UG, diploma and ITI courses, are the other two schemes. </p>.Three women clear priest course in Tamil Nadu; New era, says CM Stalin.<p>In his speech, Stalin also spoke about the Chief Minister’s Breakfast Scheme benefitting over 17 lakh primary school children across the state and added that several Union Ministers were keen to know about the schemes implemented by the DMK government in Tamil Nadu. Stalin said as many as 1.06 crore women will receive Rs 1,000 every month on 15<sup>th</sup> which is a “recognition” of their hard work towards uplifting their families. </p><p>“Anna (durai) said as long as the state is known as Tamil Nadu, it is Annadurai’s reign while renaming the state of Madras as Tamil Nadu. Likewise, as long as women in Tamil Nadu receive their rightful money, it would only mean that Stalin is administrating the state,” he added.</p><p>The scheme has come under criticism of the opposition parties who have criticised the eligibility criteria announced by the government. While the DMK manifesto said all women heads of families will get an assistance of Rs 1,000 per month, the party, after coming to power, said it will be a “targeted scheme.”</p><p>“I repeat. It is not an assistance. It is your rightful money,” Stalin told the women gathered at the launch event and termed the implementation of the scheme despite odds as one of his biggest achievements. “I was able to implement the scheme only because you voted for the DMK alliance,” he said.</p><p>In his speech, the Chief Minister spoke about “sacrifices” made by women in ensuring that their family members prosper. “I would like to thank my mother who is an embodiment of affection, my wife who stood behind me, and my daughter who loves me unconditionally,” Stalin added.</p>
<p>Billed as one of the biggest Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) scheme, the Tamil Nadu government on Friday launched the Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thittam scheme that will provide Rs 1,000 as “rightful money” monthly for 1.06 crore woman heads of families, fulfilling a key aspect of the ruling DMK’s manifesto for the 2021 assembly elections. </p><p>Chief Minister M K Stalin launched the scheme in Kanchipuram, the birth place of DMK founder C N Annadurai, on the latter’s birth anniversary, by handing over ATM cards to 13 beneficiaries, while his cabinet colleagues rolled out the program in districts. The amount – Rs 1,000 -- was credited to a majority of the beneficiaries’ bank accounts on Thursday evening. </p><p>This is the third scheme that the two-and-a-half-year-old DMK dispensation has launched exclusively for the state’s women population. Free bus travel to women in town buses, and Rs 1,000 per month to girl students who studied from class 6 to 12 in government schools till they complete their UG, diploma and ITI courses, are the other two schemes. </p>.Three women clear priest course in Tamil Nadu; New era, says CM Stalin.<p>In his speech, Stalin also spoke about the Chief Minister’s Breakfast Scheme benefitting over 17 lakh primary school children across the state and added that several Union Ministers were keen to know about the schemes implemented by the DMK government in Tamil Nadu. Stalin said as many as 1.06 crore women will receive Rs 1,000 every month on 15<sup>th</sup> which is a “recognition” of their hard work towards uplifting their families. </p><p>“Anna (durai) said as long as the state is known as Tamil Nadu, it is Annadurai’s reign while renaming the state of Madras as Tamil Nadu. Likewise, as long as women in Tamil Nadu receive their rightful money, it would only mean that Stalin is administrating the state,” he added.</p><p>The scheme has come under criticism of the opposition parties who have criticised the eligibility criteria announced by the government. While the DMK manifesto said all women heads of families will get an assistance of Rs 1,000 per month, the party, after coming to power, said it will be a “targeted scheme.”</p><p>“I repeat. It is not an assistance. It is your rightful money,” Stalin told the women gathered at the launch event and termed the implementation of the scheme despite odds as one of his biggest achievements. “I was able to implement the scheme only because you voted for the DMK alliance,” he said.</p><p>In his speech, the Chief Minister spoke about “sacrifices” made by women in ensuring that their family members prosper. “I would like to thank my mother who is an embodiment of affection, my wife who stood behind me, and my daughter who loves me unconditionally,” Stalin added.</p>