Collectors of Ramanathapuram and Sivaganga districts distributed welfare assistance of more than Rs. 40 lakh to 360 beneficiaries on behalf of various departments at the mass contact programmes held in the two districts on Wednesday.
At the mass contact programme held at Appanur in Kadaladi tulk in Ramanathapuram district, Collector S. Natarajan distributed welfare assistance of Rs. 38.29 lakh to 228 beneficiaries.
The beneficiaries included 29 differently abled people who were given wheelchairs, hearing aids and callipers, and 48 aged people who were given old age pension under Social Protection Scheme. Under Uzhavar Padukappu Thittam, 56 farmers were given marriage assistance and solatium towards cremation expenses.
Addressing the programme, Mr. Natarajan said the mass contact programme involving officials from all departments was organised every month in villages to meet the people directly and redress their grievances.
The programme also helped the officials to get to know about the problems of the villages and address the basic needs and amenities, he said.
Administrative sanction was given to take up developmental works in the village at total cost of Rs. 74.41 lakh in the village, he said.
Sivaganga Collector S. Malarvizhi distributed welfare assistance of Rs. 2.18 lakh to 132 beneficiaries at a mass contact programme held at Sottathatti in Thirupuvanam taluk.
Addressing the programme, she said the district administration was implementing all government welfare schemes and recorded zero maternal mortality in government hospitals last year.
She appealed to the people to take a pledge to avoid use of plastic items, which posed a danger to even the future generation. She also advised the people to avoid open defecation and opt for individual toilets by availing themselves of the subsidy given under Swatchh Bharat Mission.
