Chennai: For the second consecutive day, the Tamilnadu government today distributed Rs 1,000 and free ration items to all rice card holders in the State, as part of the Rs 3,280 crore relief package in view of the nation-wide lockdown to combat the spread of coronavirus.
The package included Rs 1,000 cash, free 15 kg rice, one kg each of sugar, edible oil and dhal which would be given to the card holders till 15 April.
With a view to avoid crowding in fair price shops, token system was introduced to distribute the relief package to avoid crowding and maintain social distancing.
Despite prohibitory orders were in force in view of the lockdown, people thronged the ration shops to get their tokens. Those who missed purchasing ration items in the month of March, could get them in April also, Chief Miniser Edappadi K Palaniswami said, while announcing the relief package Under Rule 110 in the State Assembly on March 24, ahead of the lockdown.
He said as the lockdown under Sec 144 of CrPc would affect various various sections of the people including daily wage labourers, auto and taxi drivers, construction and unorganised sector workers, roadside vendors, the relief package was announced considering their difficulties.
Apart from rice ration cardholders, families of construction workers and auto drivers registered with the welfare boards would be given Rs 1,000, 15 kg rice and one kg each of dhal and cooking oil.
He said migrant construction and unorganised sector workers would be identified by district collectors and labour board and would be given 15 kg rice and one kg each of dhal and cooking oil.
For registered roadside vendors, a special assistance of Rs 1,000 would be given in addition to the Rs 1,000 through the fair price shops, the Chief Minister said, while also announcing two days special wages for MNREGA workers for the month of March.