CHENNAI: Listing the welfare measures of the State government for AIDS and HIV patients, Chief Minister O Panneerselvam on Sunday greeted them on the eve of World AIDS Day.
In a statement here, Panneerselvam said the main objective of the day was to create awareness on AIDS to eradicate it.
The AIDS Control Society was spreading awareness through various folk arts, besides educating adolescent girls and college students on the subject. Centres for diagnosis and counselling for HIV and AIDS had been set up at various places throughout the State.
Besides, a total of 52 integrated treatment centres, 149 joint treatment centres and 16 legal aid centres were functioning in Tamil Nadu, he said.
The Chief Minister said the State government was providing free bus pass to HIV and AIDS patients to go to treatment centres. A pension of `1,000 was being provided for farmers affected by the deficiency syndrome under the Farmers Protection Scheme. Elderly people and young widows affected by HIV and AIDS were being given pension with age relaxation. Those affected by the deficiency syndrome were being provided priority in allotment of green houses, the Chief Minister added.