3rd phase of distribution of doles started
Rural Industries Minister Pongalur N. Palanisamy (second right) distributes assistance at the launch of the third phase of distribution of monthly doles to educated unemployed persons, at Pollachi on Sunday. Coimbatore Collector Neeraj Mittal (right) and Tirupur MLA C. Govindaswamy (third right) are in the picture.The third phase of providing monthly doles to 30,000 educated unemployed youth in the district began at Pollachi in the district on Sunday.Rural Industries Minister Pongalur N. Palanisamy started off the process by giving away doles to some of the 354 beneficiaries covered on the first day. Legislators C. Govindasamy (Tirupur) and Kovai Thangam (Valparai), District Collector Neeraj Mittal and Pollachi Sub-Collector Vijay Pingle were present.
Officials said that with these, the assistance had been provided to around 8,000 people across the district. Those who had studied up to eighth standard would get Rs.150, those up to Plus-Two Rs.200 and graduation and above Rs.300.The Minister pointed out that 1.70 lakh people had registered with the District Employment Office for jobs and they needed assistance.Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi had ensured that 80 per cent of the election promises had been fulfilled. One of the promises being met was helping the educated unemployed. The State had a target of 27,000 people to be covered for self-employment assistance of Rs.120 crore through the Prime Minister’s Rozgar Yojana during the last financial year.
The pace of this programme had slackened a lot because cooperation from the banks for providing assistance was not at the desired pace.Mr. Palanisamy said he and Finance Minister K. Anbazhagam and Electricity Minister Arcot N. Veerasamy met Union Finance Minister P. Chidambaram and apprised him of the situation.After Union Finance Minister P. Chidambaram spoke to bank officials, the State exceeded the target and covered 28,000 beneficiaries, Mr. Palanisamy said. The target for this financial year was 30,000. The assistance ranged from Rs.25,000 to Rs.5 lakh.
