CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu has beena pioneer in many social issues like providing reservation to the backward and suppressed classes of society and now, in implementing welfare schemes as well. The State is marching fast towards being described as a ‘Perfect Welfare State’ through the schemes being implemented by the government led by Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa.
Immediately after taking over as the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu for third time, Jayalalithaa set a deadline of 18 months to fuflfil all of her electoral promises. Speaking in the State Assembly after three weeks of assuming office as the Chief Minister, Jayalalithaa said, “This government is moving on a ‘breakneck speed’ to deliver goods to the people…Of course, along with speed, we have wisdom.”
And to ensure that these welfare measures reach the targetted groups, the CM has set up a separate department — Special Programme Implementation Department — to literally monitor the progress of all these schemes.
In the first year’s budget alone, new welfare schemes to the tune of `8,900 crore were announced. In the current year, implementation of welfare schemes has been given utmost importance by allocating `30,000 crore.
However, when the opposition raised a hue and cry over the items given to the poor, Jayalalithaa described these as essential needs of the poor and that they cannot be considered as permanent solution to end their sufferings.
“These welfare schemes are aimed at uplifting the economic status of the poor and downtrodden and to enable them to stand on their own legs. Anyone who knows economics, will not accept maligning these schemes as mere freebies,” she said.
Jayalalithaa further said, “Only a well-governed democratic government could provide all facilities to poor families on par with the well to do section of the population. Elimination of poverty will pave the way for all inclusive economic growth. Only then, will the benefits reach equally to one and all.”