Local impact of Urimai Thogai ATM Cards

In a momentous event marking the commencement of the distribution of a monthly allowance of Rs 1,000 under the Kalaignar Mahalir Urimai Thogai, Assembly Speaker M Appavu presented ATM cards to approximately 2,000 deserving women beneficiaries in Tirunelveli. This initiative aims to empower women in Tamil Nadu and provide them with financial support.

Addressing the audience, Appavu encouraged women whose allowance applications were initially rejected to approach their respective taluk or revenue division offices for rectifications if needed. He emphasized that dedicated centers for the scheme had been established at district collectorates, with an overwhelming response of 3,60,345 applications received by the district administration.

Accompanying the Speaker were prominent dignitaries including Collector K P Karthikeyan, Tirunelveli MP S Gnanathiraviam, and district panchayat president V S R Jagathish, who graced the occasion with their presence.

The distribution of the monthly allowance began in Tirunelveli and Tenkasi districts, with a remarkable turnout. Many women availed of this opportunity, some even visiting online service centers until late at night.

Vijay Kumar, a service provider under the union government’s Common Service Centre (CSC) initiative, shared his experience of serving more than 120 women in Kalathimadam village, where an elderly woman expressed her gratitude by kissing his hand. It was observed that beneficiaries came from diverse backgrounds, with some having significant family assets. Rumors of potential withdrawal penalties also led to a rush among rural women to collect their benefits promptly.

Re-reported from the article originally published in The Newindianexpress