COVID-19: Tamil Nadu sets aside Rs 3,200 crore for relief, free ration and Rs 1,000 for ration card holders

In its preparedness for the lockdown against the spread of coronavirus, the Tamil Nadu government has announced that it has set aside a relief package of Rs 3,200 crore and will provide free ration and Rs 1000 to ration card holders  

Chennai: While most Tamils were of the opinion that the state is in a relaxed mode, the announcement from the government about setting aside Rs 3,200 crore to fight coronavirus and providing free ration and Rs 1000 for all ration card holders has made people think again.

On Tuesday, the first item on the agenda for the day for chief minister Edappadi Palaniswami was to call an emergency meeting and make this announcement.

He said tokens will be issued to obtain ration and stated that this is to avoid long queues which risks the spread of the virus.

As relief, the government will provide rice, sugar and Rs 1,000 to ration card holders. People who have missed taking rations in the month of March can get the same in April.

Keeping in the mind senior citizens, the differently abled and downtrodden, the chief minister said, measures like free food at anganwadis, food delivery services to homes will take place. The chief minister also said that hawkers, auto drivers and migrant workers will be given an additional Rs 1000 and a kilo of oil and rice.

As always, Amma canteen will be there to serve the poor. Extra food will be cooked and served, and additional locations will be set up for this purpose. All the district collectors have been instructed to arrange food for the destitute.