Chennai: The Tamil Nadu Government on Sunday decided to procure an additional 10 lakh colour television sets to be distributed under its free Colour TV scheme. With state elections scheduled for May, the DMK government has rushed through implementation of its various welfare measures. The free colour TV scheme alone has cost the government exchequer about Rs 4,000 crore until now.
A decision was taken to procure more colour TV sets at a review meeting of a committee of MLAs, headed by chief minister M Karunanidhi, following requests from various district collectors. The government has set targets for the district administration to implement its welfare measure ahead of a crucial election.
Since 2006, when the DMK came to power, more than 1.62 crore colour TV sets were procured and distributed to 1.52 crore families in the state in five phases. Every year, the government allocated about Rs. 750 crore for purchasing the colour TV sets for free distribution. The state government is keen to ensure that the targets for the freebies and welfare schemes are met before elections.
A decision was taken to procure more colour TV sets at a review meeting of a committee of MLAs, headed by chief minister M Karunanidhi, following requests from various district collectors. The government has set targets for the district administration to implement its welfare measure ahead of a crucial election.
Since 2006, when the DMK came to power, more than 1.62 crore colour TV sets were procured and distributed to 1.52 crore families in the state in five phases. Every year, the government allocated about Rs. 750 crore for purchasing the colour TV sets for free distribution. The state government is keen to ensure that the targets for the freebies and welfare schemes are met before elections.
