In a significant move to empower women and alleviate poverty, the Tamil Nadu government is set to launch the Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thogai scheme on September 15. With the help of this state's main program, more than 1 crore women who are below the poverty line would receive a monthly payment of Rs 1,000. The program is a component of a bigger initiative to improve a lot of society's marginalized groups, which was pledged by the ruling DMK party in its manifesto during the 2021 state assembly elections.
The Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thogai scheme will directly deposit the monthly allowance into the bank accounts of eligible women. The former finance minister of Tamil Nadu, PTR Palanivel Thiagarajan, announced the scheme in the 2023-24 budget and allocated a substantial sum of Rs 7,000 crore towards its implementation. The government recently released an order detailing the criteria for eligibility and the necessary documentation.
Women who wish to take advantage of the program must supply their name, Aadhaar number, ration card number, marital status, phone number, and housing information, including whether they own or rent their residence. The district, electrical connection number, bank account number, bank name, and branch are also required. Aside from not working for the federal or state governments or owning more than 2.5 acres of land, the lady also needs to earn less than Rs 2.5 lakh annually and use less than 3,600 units of electricity annually.
To ensure ease of access, the government plans to provide the application form to the woman beneficiaries at their doorstep. They can submit the form at their residence and must record their fingerprints as part of the application process. This approach aims to streamline the application process and facilitate the inclusion of deserving women in the scheme.
The Kalaignar Magalir Urimai Thogai scheme is part of a broader trend of guaranteed income schemes aimed at reducing poverty and promoting financial stability. With different monthly allowances, such programs have been put into place in Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, and Karnataka. For instance, the government of Karnataka provides qualified women with a greater monthly allowance of Rs 2,000.
By providing a monthly allowance to over 1 crore poor women, the Tamil Nadu government aims to uplift marginalized sections of society, alleviate poverty, and foster financial stability. This initiative marks a significant step towards empowering women and creating a more inclusive society. As the launch date approaches, anticipation grows for the positive impact this scheme will have on the lives of countless women in Tamil Nadu.
